Obituary for Nelson Henry Boehme
Nelson Henry Boehme VA3NB
November 21, 1928 - September 7, 2022
“Never doubt that everything is turning out just as it should” - Nels’ words to an unsettled child - his way of saying “Believe”.
Nels was an historian, an accomplished composer and musician, an admiring husband to Bernice MacFarlane of Three Brooks, Nova Scotia, a gentle and attentive Dad and Opa. He passed away peacefully in his easy chair in his home.
Nels leaves to mourn his wife of 70 years Bernice, 2 children – Lynne Michelle (John Yantha), Kerry Nelson (Tricia Adams) - and their six children, and 11 great-grandchildren. Nels was very close with his in-laws of Pictou County, Nova Scotia, and leaves there his brother-in-law, Jack Ferguson.
He was pre-deceased by his Father, Herman Boehme born in Woito Station; by his Mother, Charlotte MacFarlane of Maple Leaf; by his WWII Veteran brothers Hubert Popkey and William Boehme; and by his sister Faye (Lackey) of Boulter ON.
Nels was an active member at the Bancroft Masonic Lodge and with the Ontario Provincial Police Veterans Association. All his life, Nels was a composer and musician with a vast repertoire on https://soundcloud.com/nelson-mandola. Major compostions include The Thirteenth Passenger which tells the story of the famed Mayflower event during which his Grandfather William Boehme drowned, and Black Water River, which is about his beloved Madawaska River.
Career transitions lead Nels from a young fishing guide, to OPP Constable, to Madawaska Valley District High School audio visual tech, and real estate and insurance broker. He was most proud of his career as an OPP Constable - spent in Port Arthur and Peterborough. He left that position to care for his Mother, and to purchase the Valley Market in Combermere with Bernice.
Older locals would remember Nels as a taxi owner/operator who proudly provided safe transportation for many, including Catherine Doherty (founder of Madonna House), and several ladies (when time came to deliver their wee ones). Nels and Bernice spent the 1960’s as owner/operators of the Combermere Valley Market. Yearning for higher education, Nels attended Algonquin College in the 1970’s, where he obtained his high school and AV Tech diplomas. He discovered that he had a propensity for teaching college math, but again chose to stay close to home, accepting a position at MVDHS. Nels was ‘hands-on’ in caring for his people, and his various properties.
One could refer to Nels as being well-grounded, having lived most of his years in his family home, the former Methodist Manse, on ‘his’ Madawaska River. This home is just across the road from the spot where his Grandparents, William and Louisa (Frederick) Boehme, settled well-over 100 years ago. He was proud of his German and Scottish Heritage, and his connection to the English which came through the storied Kinder family. He was firm in his beliefs, and steadfast in his love for his family and his home.
Nels would appreciate any charitable support for the world’s disadvantaged youth, and for the Ottawa Heart Institute.
Final care has been entrusted to Zohr Family Funeral Home, Killaloe. A private family graveside ceremony will be held, beside his Mother and Father at the historic Methodist Cemetery in Combermere. Tributes and
condolences can be made online at www.zohrfuneralhome.com
November 21, 1928 - September 7, 2022
“Never doubt that everything is turning out just as it should” - Nels’ words to an unsettled child - his way of saying “Believe”.
Nels was an historian, an accomplished composer and musician, an admiring husband to Bernice MacFarlane of Three Brooks, Nova Scotia, a gentle and attentive Dad and Opa. He passed away peacefully in his easy chair in his home.
Nels leaves to mourn his wife of 70 years Bernice, 2 children – Lynne Michelle (John Yantha), Kerry Nelson (Tricia Adams) - and their six children, and 11 great-grandchildren. Nels was very close with his in-laws of Pictou County, Nova Scotia, and leaves there his brother-in-law, Jack Ferguson.
He was pre-deceased by his Father, Herman Boehme born in Woito Station; by his Mother, Charlotte MacFarlane of Maple Leaf; by his WWII Veteran brothers Hubert Popkey and William Boehme; and by his sister Faye (Lackey) of Boulter ON.
Nels was an active member at the Bancroft Masonic Lodge and with the Ontario Provincial Police Veterans Association. All his life, Nels was a composer and musician with a vast repertoire on https://soundcloud.com/nelson-mandola. Major compostions include The Thirteenth Passenger which tells the story of the famed Mayflower event during which his Grandfather William Boehme drowned, and Black Water River, which is about his beloved Madawaska River.
Career transitions lead Nels from a young fishing guide, to OPP Constable, to Madawaska Valley District High School audio visual tech, and real estate and insurance broker. He was most proud of his career as an OPP Constable - spent in Port Arthur and Peterborough. He left that position to care for his Mother, and to purchase the Valley Market in Combermere with Bernice.
Older locals would remember Nels as a taxi owner/operator who proudly provided safe transportation for many, including Catherine Doherty (founder of Madonna House), and several ladies (when time came to deliver their wee ones). Nels and Bernice spent the 1960’s as owner/operators of the Combermere Valley Market. Yearning for higher education, Nels attended Algonquin College in the 1970’s, where he obtained his high school and AV Tech diplomas. He discovered that he had a propensity for teaching college math, but again chose to stay close to home, accepting a position at MVDHS. Nels was ‘hands-on’ in caring for his people, and his various properties.
One could refer to Nels as being well-grounded, having lived most of his years in his family home, the former Methodist Manse, on ‘his’ Madawaska River. This home is just across the road from the spot where his Grandparents, William and Louisa (Frederick) Boehme, settled well-over 100 years ago. He was proud of his German and Scottish Heritage, and his connection to the English which came through the storied Kinder family. He was firm in his beliefs, and steadfast in his love for his family and his home.
Nels would appreciate any charitable support for the world’s disadvantaged youth, and for the Ottawa Heart Institute.
Final care has been entrusted to Zohr Family Funeral Home, Killaloe. A private family graveside ceremony will be held, beside his Mother and Father at the historic Methodist Cemetery in Combermere. Tributes and
condolences can be made online at www.zohrfuneralhome.com