By Ron P. Coderre

When people in northeastern Connecticut speak of good sports, the name Freddie Nelson is certain to be mentioned. 

A good sport isn’t necessarily someone who excelled at sports, although that individual might certainly been an avid sports fan and lifetime sports participant. Rather, a good sport is the person whom others have come to rely on in times of need.  That’s Freddie Nelson.

In a crowd Freddie didn’t necessarily standout, however a few words with him and he was someone who immediately became your friend.  Good sport Freddie Nelson, like most people in our area, was a fan of the New England Patriots and the Boston Red Sox.  His love of the Sox was always a good-natured bone of contention with him and his wife of 55 years Lucille, who is an avid New York Yankees rooter.

This was probably the only thing the couple wasn’t on the same page when it came to sports and life.  When Freddie referred to his wife, whom he affectionately called Lu, his undying love for her shone through.  Whether it was bowling in leagues together or their evening strolls around Putnam, the Nelsons were true love birds, in the best sense of the word.  If you saw one it was a certainty the other wasn’t far behind.

Freddie was a God-fearing man and a faithful attendee and communicant at St. Mary of the Visitation Church where he was one of the community’s best loved parishioners.  His Christian spirit also was demonstrated whenever it came to family and friends.  He was the glue that held many relationships together.

For those who knew Freddie we also remember him as a fighter in his final months of life.  Beleaguered with a number of medical issues, Freddie fought through them all, seeing the glass as always half full.  To his final days he spoke of getting back home and being able to get together with family and friends.

Freddie Nelson died on Tuesday, March 24 following a valiant but losing battle with the cancer that ultimately took him from us.  Although Freddie never officially scored the winning touchdown, scored the winning basket or hit the winning home run, he certainly rolled a perfect game when it came to the game of life.

Freddie Nelson Putnam’s good guy, who has left us with memories that, will live on whenever discussions about good sports arise.  Rest in peace, Freddie.