Harold Nelson

Harold and Puz had 5 amazing children: Peggy de Beaumont (deceased) of Redding, Husband Jim (deceased) grandchildren Eric de Beaumont, Nicole Weaver and great-grandson Hunter Weaver

Hal Nelson of Los Altos, wife Laurie, ex-wife Betty, grandchildren Michael and Brian, wife Tess and great grandchildren Parker and Remy.

Patty Nelson (deceased)

Paul Nelson of Los Angeles/Menlo Park

Peter Nelson of Los Altos, wife Marie-France and grandchildren Alexander and Christine.

When Puz and Harold were first married, they lived on the Flood Estate in Woodside-- living in the caretaker’s cottage for several years before moving to Menlo Park where they lived for the next 70 years.

He graduated from Sequoia High School (where he met Puz) in 1948. 

1948 was the same year he and his father opened O. Nelson & Son Excavating where they mostly mowed the orchards and built horse arenas for the very large estates of the time. They worked over the years for such prominent names as Flood, Fleishhacker, Roth (Fioli), Folgers and Whittell, to name a few. 

O. Nelson & Son grew over the years to become one of the most prominent Excavating companies in the Bay Area. He was a member of the Operating Engineers Local 3 for over 65 years.

Harold retired in 2012 having two of his sons (Hal and Peter) head the reins.

Woodside remained forever in Harold’s heart and mind. He was living in Woodside before they were incorporated. He would tell stories about the beautiful houses and tree-lined streets and who used to live there, and the things residents did. Even in his advanced age he could remember his 6th grade teacher at Woodside Elementary School and how great she was in 1940 when the school was one building (which is now the Town Hall). One of his favorite restaurants was Bucks---and they always

kept table 42 available for him for lunch everyday for many, many years.

Harold enjoyed deer hunting trips to Canada and Wyoming every year with his friends. He was a long-time member of the Bowling leagues at Redwood City Bowl---bowling in 2 leagues every week. He sponsored a shoot at the Jr. Riders Rodeo every 4th of July for more than 50 years and loved sponsoring Softball teams in Redwood City.

But most of all he enjoyed his family---taking family trips to ski and gamble in the Tahoe area 5-6 times a year, to Disneyland and houseboating.

He will be greatly missed by his family and many treasured friends.

Donations can be made in his name to: The St. Francis Center 151 Buckingham Ave., Redwood City, CA 94063.