Peter G. Neilson

Peter G. Neilson, 74, of Kenockee Township, died unexpectedly Monday, December 17, 2007 while on duty with the Kenockee Township Fire Department. He was born January 17, 1933 in New York, New York the son of the late Wallace and Nancy Groome Neilson. His marriage to Doris Wunsch of Tonawanda, New York was June 18, 1955 in Eggertsville, New York. The couple lived in Avoca since 1978. Peter and his wife Doris both graduated from Cornell University and were married in 1955. Peter received a BS in Agriculture as well as a ROTC commission in the US Army, beginning a career of 21 years of military service. The military years included being stationed at Redstone Arsenal Alabama in the late 1950s in the early years of the space race, during which time the two boys were born. Then came three years in Germany attached to a Redstone Missile unit, along with family travels. In the late 1960s they spent two years in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa where Peter was an advisor to the Congolese army for vehicle repair. Peter also spent one year in Korea as head of a maintenance company and one year in Viet Nam researching captured weaponry. The last military assignment brought them to Michigan where he worked in Research and Development on the M1/Abrams Tank. When Peter retired from the army in 1976 he worked for Massey Ferguson for several years and then continued as a consultant in product safety and liability for the farm machinery industry at which time they moved to a farm in Avoca. Peter joined the Kenockee Township Fire Department in 1982 and served 25 years including 7 as chief. Peter enjoyed collecting military, fire safety and farm equipment models, and was restoring some full-sized military vehicles. He had an extensive collection of military insignia patches which have been on display occasionally at the US Army National Guard Hall in Port Huron. He also acquired a collection of African Art during his travels in the Congo. He is survived by Doris, his wife of 52 years; two sons and daughter-in-law, John Peter Neilson of New York City and Richard Wallace Neilson and wife Elizabeth Neilson of Lebanon Indiana; brother and two sisters-in-law, Howard and Shirley Neilson of Colleyville, Texas, Patricia Neilson of Port St Lucie Florida . He is preceded in death by his sister Jane Neilson of New Windsor Maryland and his brother Wallace Neilson of Port St. Lucie Florida. His family honors the memory of Peter and invite you to visit and share Friday 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Kaatz Funeral Directors, Yale, and attend funeral services 11:00 a.m. Saturday with 10:00 a.m. visiting. Pastor Lisa Clark, associate pastor of Zion Methodist Church, Capac will officiate. Burial will be in Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly Michigan. Memorials are suggested to Kenockee Township Fire Department. For information and Guest Book kaatzfunerals.com

Peter G. Neilson

January 17, 1933 - December 17, 2007