George T. Nilson

George Theodore Nilson, 84, of Abbey Lane, died October 6, 2009 at Golden View Health Care Center, in Meredith.     Born in Dedham, MA on January 28, 1925, he was the son of Eric and Matilda [Mattsson] Nilson.     He grew up in Walpole, MA and graduated from Walpole High School, class of 1942.  He also graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor degree in Health Education, class of 1950 and earned his Master's degree in Health Education, class of 1955,  He went on to earn a second Master's degree in Public Health Education from Harvard School of Public Health.  He resided in Augusta, ME for over thirty years and has been a resident of Meredith for the past five years.        He worked for the Bingham Association Fund, as a Field Director, from 1957 to 1969 and then for the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, as an Assistant to the Dean.  From 1972 to 1986, he was the Executive Director of the Maine Lung Association, in Augusta ME.    George held numerous health relative memberships and served on many health committees including; past president of, the Health Council of Maine, the New England Health Association, the New England Health Education Association; past Chairman of, the Committee on Health Careers, Maine Interagency Council on Smoking and Health, Maine Governor's Commission of Rehabilitation Needs.  He was a member of the Maine Hospital Association, Massachusetts Hospital Association, New England Hospital Assembly, American Public Health Association and many more.     George was an avid golfer and a long time member of the Augusta County Club, Augusta, ME.     He was a World War II US Coast Guard veteran and served from 1942 to 1946.     George was predeceased by his granddaughter, Elena Nilson, who died in 2007.     He was the loving husband of 59 years of Clara V. [Anderson] Nilson of Meredith, he is survived by his sons, Kenneth G. Nilson of Moultonborough, NH, Karl T. Nilson of East Hampton, CT, 3 grandchildren, Matthew and Maria Nilson, Annika Ripps, 2 great grandchildren, Linnea and Solomon Ripps, brother, Russell Nilson of Marion, MA, sister, Doris Cataldo of Sherburne, MA, nieces and nephews.Memorials:In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sarcoma Research Fund, "in memory of George and his granddaughter Elena Nilson, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Division of Development and the Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, Brookline MA. 02445. Service:A funeral service will be held in the Mayhew Funeral Home, Routes #3 and #104, Meredith, on Tuesday at 2pm.  The Rev. Edward J. Charest, pastor of the Plymouth United Methodist Church, will officiate.