J. Harold Nelson, 90, of Ryegate died peacefully at home on Saturday, May 22, 2010. He was born in Ryegate on October 21, 1919, the son of James and Edith Nelson. He graduated from Woodsville High School in 1936 and received his B.S. in Agriculture from the University of Vermont in 1941. Upon his graduation, he returned to the family farm in Ryegate, where he went into partnership with his father and his brother Howard. He married Vera Fifield on September 2, 1944 in Groton, and they lived on the family farm all their married life. He was especially proud to be the sixth generation in his family to be farming Wayside Meadow Farm and to have it designated as a Bicentennial Farm in 1974. Harold was a member and Elder of Ryegate Presbyterian Church, a 65-year member and past Master of Blue Mountain Grange, a member of Farm Bureau, and served as an auditor for the Town of Ryegate for many years. For 20 years after their retirement, he and Vera spent winters in Palmetto, FL where they enjoyed the weather and many wonderful friendships. Harold was the family historian, was always interested in current events, loved music, had a great sense of humor, and loved to laugh, but his greatest love in life was his family. He always supported his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in all their endeavors. He was a steward of the land and was held in high esteem by the Ryegate community. He and Vera managed their farm to be sustainable and successful. He is survived by his sister Janette Forrest and her husband Richard of Reading, MA; four children: Nancy Perkins and her husband Gene of Ryegate, Bruce Nelson and his wife Gail of Ryegate, Bob Nelson and his wife Jodi of Lincoln, NH, and Ken Nelson and his wife Bobbie of Ryegate; nine grandchildren: Joe Perkins, Gordon Perkins and his wife Jennifer, Curt Nelson and his wife Emily, Andrea Dennis and her husband Ryan, Jim Nelson and his wife Christy, Tracy Nelson, Jeremy Nelson and his wife Natal, Marcy Singleton and her husband David, and Katie VerLee and her husband Graham; 16 great-grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by Vera, his loving wife of 63 years, his parents, and his brother Howard and sister-in-law Evelyn. Calling hours will be Friday, May 28, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at Ricker Funeral Home, 1 Birch Street, Woodsville NH. A funeral service will be held Saturday, May 29, at 3:00 PM at the Ryegate Corner Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Catherine Cook officiating. Interment will follow at Blue Mountain Cemetery in Ryegate. Memorial contributions may be made in Harold s memory to Ryegate Presbyterian Church, c/o Jean White, PO Box 366, Ryegate, VT 05042.