Jack P. Nilsen
January 24, 1943 – May 11, 2008
Jack, formerly of St. Petersburg, was called to the Lord after a courageous battle with illness. He is survived by: his loving wife of 42 years, Dolores; his three sons, Marc Trish, David Jennifer, and Todd Faith; his sisters, Karen Nilsen and Doris Alchin; and his five grandsons, Craig, Christopher, Ryan, Kevin, and Riley; a granddaughter, Annalise Marie; an aunt, Flo Commander; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Per and Marie.
Jack was a long time youth athletic coach in St. Petersburg dedicated to teaching, coaching, and mentoring the city’s youth. He was a member of the Northeast High School Athletic Boosters, League Director at Fossil Park, the head coach of the St. Petersburg Raiders Youth Soccer Team, and the undefeated head coach of Team Florida 1991 AAU Junior Olympic Baseball Team. He was a graduate of Eckerd College in 1993 and a member of the Brotherhood Lodge #375 F&AM of Spring Hill, FL. He was a long time member of Grace Lutheran Church, but most recently a member of Forest Oaks Lutheran Church, Spring Hill, FL.
As a loving husband and father and a man of good character and high ideals, Jack will surely be missed.
Services will be held at Grace Lutheran Church 4301 16th Street North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33703 on May 24, 2008 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been set up to honor Jack. Contributions can be made to Lamb of God Lutheran Church c/o Jack Nilsen Memorial Fund Lamb of God Lutheran Church, 10540 Browning Road, Lithia, Florida 33547. Jack will be interred at Memorial Park Cemetery 5750 49th Street North, St. Petersburg, Florida
Arrangements entrusted to Veterans Funeral Care, 15381 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, Florida, 33760.
Dad:
I want you to know that I thank God for blessing with you as my father. I could not have asked for anything more. You were always there for me. You always supported me. You always encouraged me. You always wanted me to be the best I could. I always wanted to make you proud, but I don’t think I ever told you enough how proud I was of you.
I will miss you always, but I know that God has called you home. I know that one day we shall be reunited in the clouds. I look forward to that day.
Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice – you are home.
I love you,
David
Chief, Dad
I know that I never told you enough that I Loved you, but I know that you knew that I did. God has a special plan for you, or he would not have taken you to be with him so soon. Out of my own selfishness I have shed many tears, but I know that God has a plan for all of us. Now that you are pain free you can start working his new plan for you. an ANGEL. I will miss our conversations, rounds of golf, and building projects together. I can’t Thank you enough for everything that you have done for me. I can only hope that I can be half the father that you were. You will be sorely missed, but you will live on in my heart and mind. You were not just my father but you were my best friend, and I’ll miss you.
I Love You and will miss you. We will meet again in heaven, so I’ll see you there.
Love, Marc
uncle jack was a hero of mine from when i was a kid. he showed me how to play soccer and baseball.he also took me to my first football game. he took me in as a kid when i was having trouble.he was a great man and i will never forget him. thank you i love you.
eric
To Jack:
We may have met originally in High School and graduated together, but over the years have lost touch, but for the Grace of God, he brought you back into my life for some reason. That reason was to be a good friend to Bill and I and share your wonderful adventures of your life with Delores and your childrens life’s adventures. You were the best father, husband and friend a person could ever have in a life time. You will be missed by everyone that has come into your life. Until we meet again in heaven, may you watch over us and guide us whenever we look stupid or are stupid. So if I feel a boot somewhere, I know you’re there.
I will pray for your family and give them as much support as I possibly can in the future. May you rest in peace and indure no more pain. God Bless you Jack, you are the best.
With all our Love, Dale and Bill Ralston, Life time friends forever.
Who would have thought that when I met you in fourth grade, you would have become my brother-in-law. We have shared many things over the last forty some years. Three things I must thank you for are Marc, David, and Todd. You and Dolores have given me three wonderful nephews and for that I cannot thank you enough. When I last visited you, I told you I will see you again and I will. Until then, Love Sue
We spent many happy and exciting times with Jack when he coached our sons in soccer. He was exceptionally concerned with his young players; more like a loving uncle than a coach. Jack was also head salesman with Wells Fargo Armored Service when I managed the Tampa branch. I truly enjoyed our time together; he was a superb salesman, hard-working and completely honorable in all his dealings. Jack was an admirable man and a good friend. His greatest love was for his family. Our condolences to them on their great loss.
Tony and Carol Skey
I was saddened to hear of Jack’s passing. Jack was my soccer coach when I was a kid, over 20 years ago now. Despite all the intervening years, I’ve never forgotten the concern he showed for the kids on his team and the example he set for us both on and off the field. He was simply a great guy and I feel lucky to have received his good influence at such an impressionable age. My condolensces to Jack’s family.
You’re in our thoughts and prayers.
Jack,you openly accepted us into your heart. It’s a pleassure to meet your family,your most valuable treasures in life on earth as it is in heaven. We have no dought you will continue with your loving care over what is most important in life.
GOOD JOB BROTHER!
Walter
and
Toni
Youâ??re My Treasure
When I first looked into your eyes and saw your lovely face, I knew the Lord from up above had brought us to that place.
And when you spoke, I thought I heard the sound of angels singing. I knew at once with all my heart that was love beginning.
I fell in love with you that day, and you with me. Iâ??m sure of that. After all these years our young love still endured.
I am glad we met and fell in love. Itâ??s been a pleasure. For as long as I live you will always be my treasure.
Uncle Jack –
I will always remember the fun times our family had in Beachwood and cherish them.
God Bless You.
Love,
Tara
Uncle Jack,
You will be greatly missed and the memories that you have made will last forever.
Love your niece,
Krista
Jack,
Knowing you was one of the great pleasures Joyce and I have had. Beachwood used to ROCK when we were together. As ex-presidents of the soccer club, to our late nite dunkin donuts coffee clatches at 1 AM till whenever. All those good times we will never forget.
Until we meet again my friend,
BillandJoyce Psaras
Jack,
Knowing you was one of the great pleasures Joyce and I have had. Beachwood used to ROCK when we were together. As ex-presidents of the soccer club, to our late nite dunkin donuts coffee clatches at 1 AM till whenever. All those good times we will never forget.
Until we meet again my friend,
BillandJoyce Psaras
Jack,
Knowing you was one of the great pleasures Joyce and I have had. Beachwood used to ROCK when we were together. As ex-presidents of the soccer club, to our late nite dunkin donuts coffee clatches at 1 AM till whenever. All those good times we will never forget.
Until we meet again my friend,
BillandJoyce Psaras
Uncle Jack,
I love you.
Love,
Noah
Jack,
You have always taught your children to be fair and kind and your legacy will live on, not only through your children, but through your six beautiful grandchildren. We will always remember how proud you were when you spoke of your children. You will be missed.
Love,
Ray and Carolyn
We are so sorry for your loss. Dolores and your sons can take comfort in knowing that Jack is without pain now. All of our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Love, Lois and Roy
Jack was a real good friend that I will truely miss dearly.
I pray the Lord will keep you strong while going through this hard time.
Deloris,
May the Lord forever Comfort you doing this trying time. Don’t ever lose sight that God will wipe away all tears and will bless you to reflect upon those precious memories that you and Jack shared. In the Spirit of Christ.
Uncle Jack,
I have such wonderful memories from when I was a child visiting you in Beachwood to as an adult seeing you in Florida. You will always be in my heart. I love you.
It is said that we can relate a song to everything in our lives. Alan Jackson wrote a song about his father. when listening to it, he really wrote it about Uncle Jack. “Small town Southern Man” he bowed his head to Jesus,he stood for uncle sam, he only loved one woman, was always proud of what he had. He said his greatest contribution is the one’s you leave behind. These lyrics were meant for Uncle Jack. I will always remember him as a kind man which always put family first. I can still see Aunt Dolores and Uncle Jack dancing in Synchronicity at Gary’s wedding. He was an amazing Uncle, Father, Brother, Husband and friend to all and will be greatly missed.
Until we meet again… I love you
Denise
Uncle Jack,
Now that you are in heaven please be our guardian angel and help us to follow the correct path so that one day we will meet again in heaven. Rich and I are sorry we are unable to attend please know you are in our thoguhts and in our prayers.
God Bless You,
Erin and Rich Gilpin
May all the wonderful memories you shared with Jack remain with you forever. Always in our thoughts and prayers.
To the Nilsen Family: I unfortunatley never met or knew Jack. I know of him through my association with family members that I attend church together with. At their request, I lifted up prayers to God, for healing, comfort and peace for Jack and the family. All I can say is, he must have been a very special person, obviously loved and admired by many people. I have read many of the tributes and through tear filled eyes I began to know this man. I wish I had the privilege to have met him.I am sure that God is proud of the way Jack lived his life and the way he positively influenced many others. May God bless the family temporarily left behind, and remind them how much He loves Jack and each of them. May each of you be blessed with many fond memories of the life Jack shared with you. God Bless you all.
Mrs. Nilsen, Marc, David and Todd-
The world is a lesser place without “Mr. Nilsen” and he will be sorely missed by everyone who has had the privilege of having had contact with him in their lives. Although we haven’t seen each other in a very long time, I wanted you to know that your families are in our thoughts and prayers. Take great comfort in the fact that he is in great hands and wonderful company.
I cannot think back to childhood without thinking of the fun times we all spent growing up, playing soccer and just being together. Memories of our families spending time together are permanent snapshots in my mind and conjure up feelings of happiness whenever I look back and think about those years.
As sad as it is to let him go after all of these years, you can’t help but marvel at all that he has accomplished in his life. My family and I wish you the best.
We love you all.
Sean Sheppard
Dolores and Family
I am so sorry for your loss – Jack was a great guy and I am sure he will be sadly missed. Many years have passed since our soccer days in Beachwood and sharing good times with great friends. God Bless All of You!
Dear Nilsen Family,
My deepest sympathy to all of you at this time of despair. I will forever remember all of our times in Beachwood. I remember my dad and Mr. Nilsen coaching and all of kids being together. I will always have fond memories of all of you. I know my dad and Mr. Nilsen are coaching and having a ball up in heaven. All the good guys go much too early. All my prayers and love to all of you….they will be waiting for all of us. And remember he is always here watching over all of you. A wonderful angel ….Holly
Dolores and Family,
We are deeply saddened by the loss of a great cousin and friend. We know Jack has been a good father and a loving husband. You have been the best any wife could possibly have been. Know that Jack has passed from your good hands to God and he will now rest forever in peace and free of pain.
We will miss him dearly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you always.
Love, Tim and Linda
To the Nilsen Family,
I was sad to hear of your loss but rejoice in his fulfilling life. I am also thankful for the fond memories our families have had. Time may pass but as it has been said “there are those who leave footprints on your heart forever.” Fine men don’t come around often and we are thankful for those who have touched our lives. His love, dedication, leadership, and devotion to his family and friends will never be forgotten. That is what we remember the most-“for the fun times.” Sickness no longer consumes him and joy and happiness is in his heart for he is in the hands of God and lives in peace. May you find peace at this time and take comfort in your memories.
Though time and distance sometimes separates friends, you are never far from our thoughts and prayers.
All our love,
Tammy and Kelsey McGarrigan
Sheppard
Dolores and Sons,
I and my family are sorrow to hear of Jack’s passing and send our sympathies to all.
Though we haven’t seen each other in many a year we are all still family and share in your grief.
– Keith Commander
Delores and Family
I was sorry to hear of the passing of Jack. We have not been close or talked often but you have all been in my thoughts and prayers. Hope to speak with you soon.
Dad:
15 Years ago today you sat and watched Jennifer and I get married. You were so full of life. As I look through our wedding album, I can only think of void that is now in my life. So many times you were there for me – at my wedding, at my graduations, at my commission in the Army, at my police academy graduation, and in the airport terminal when I came home from the war. There are so many more times when you were right there for me. In my book, you did everything right. It is my hope that I was able to accomplish those things that made you proud. You touched so many people during your life, but I have to say that I think you touched me the most. I miss you so much. I wish I could be half the father you were to me. I can only promise that your memory will live with me until my dying day and that I will continue your memory with my children. I am pleased that you are no longer ravaged by disease and the long suffering and pain that your endured in the end, but I rejoice knowing that you are home. You were a great man, and the perfect father.
Love, David
Chief,
In a few days I will turn 40. I am so greatful that you were my father, I could not ask for a better man to be my dad. I know how proud you were to be a father, because I got that same feeling when Craig was born. You were always there for me no matter what good or bad. I knew that I could count on you for support. As I sit back and remember my birthdays you were always their, so this thursday will be strange not hearing you wish me a happy Birthday. This year it will just be another day for me in my life. I hope that I was able to make you proud of me because I always put you up on the highest pedistal. You were a GREAT man, and I am proud to say that you were my father,and best friend. I miss not being able to talk with you, but I know that you are pain free in God;s hands waiting for us to join you. The empty space in my heart is yours and it can never be replaced. I will see you again in Heaven, so until then I will miss you and love you. I think about you everyday.
Your loving son
Marc
I grew up and went to school with his kids. He was a good man. I was sad to hear he was gone.
You will be missed, Jack! Growing up you were my coach. Your house was my home away from home. My second family!!! I loved you like a father and you treated me like a son. I will remember you forever and the impact you had on my life. My deepest regrets go out to to everyone.
Happy Birthday Dad…we miss you…
Happy Birthday Chief, I miss and Love You