Medrick B. Nelson, 96

Medrick B. Nelson, 96, died Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016 in Unity, N.H. where he had been cared for by the loving and compassionate staff at Sullivan County Healthcare. He was predeceased by his wife of 47 years, Lona Alice (Westney) in 2013.

A lifelong farmer, Medrick was born into a family of 14 siblings in Unity. He attended school until grade 9, when it was necessary to leave and earn a living to assist his family. He began working as a logger and road construction worker with family members before becoming a machinist at J & L Machine in Springfield, Vermont, where he worked for 35 years until his retirement.

Medrick raised Brown Swiss show cattle, replacement heifers and horses, and could be seen in the hills of Acworth making hay or collecting sap until very late in his life. He met his wife at the machine shop, where she also worked during World War II. They married and lived in Acworth village before building their house on top of Derry Hill in Acworth, where they raised two sons and enjoyed magnificent views of the Green Mountains in Vermont on farmland once owned by Lona’s parents.

Happiest when working, Medrick spent his retirement farming and restoring antique tractors. He could repair almost anything, and was creative and talented in making innovative machinery and parts for mechanical repairs. A longtime member of the New Hampshire Antique Tractor Club, Medrick enjoyed providing hauling services with his tractors in area parades, and showing and pulling tractors at the Cornish Fair. He gave his tractors to his son and grandson, who are now enjoying the hobby. He loved horses and owned draft ponies until the very latter years of his life. He always worked hard, but would relish moments when he could talk with neighbors, dance at a party or reception, share a story with visitors at a fair where he was showing cattle, assist with a mechanical or building project, enjoy lunches at his son’s farm after tapping maple trees, hold a grandchild atop a horse, pony or tractor, or pick a bouquet of dahlias that he planted for his beloved wife.

Medrick was a member of the Sullivan County Farm Bureau, Claremont Moose Lodge 1201 and was a former member of the Acworth Fire Department. He was predeceased by his parents, Rose (Therrien) and Asher Nelson and his 14 siblings: Edward Nelson, Robert Nelson, Frank Nelson, Arthur Nelson, Henry Nelson, Roy Nelson, Thomas Nelson, Nancy Sullivan, Mary Davis, Florence McElreavy, Eva “Nettie” Butterfield, Alice Patch, Bert Nelson and Asher Nelson.

Medrick is survived by his son, Bennie Nelson and his wife Becky (McDonough) of Newport; son Lindsey Nelson of Claremont and his longtime companion Rose Rouillard of Unity; granddaughter Kathryn Nelson and her fiancé Andrew Boutin of Amherst, New Hampshire; grandson Samuel Nelson of Newport; and many nieces and nephews.

All are welcome to attend calling hours to be held at Stringer Funeral Home in Claremont from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 28 followed by a funeral to be held Friday, Jan. 29 at 11 a.m. at the Acworth Congregational Church in Acworth village. To view an online memorial or send a private message of condolence, visit www.stringerfh.com.