James Neilson, 82, died at his home in Gilroy, surrounded by his
children and his treasured caregiver Nita Manukainiu, on Monday,
June 21, 2004. Eleanor, his wife of 58 years, preceded him in death
on March 3, 2004.
James Neilson, 82, died at his home in Gilroy, surrounded by his children and his treasured caregiver Nita Manukainiu, on Monday, June 21, 2004. Eleanor, his wife of 58 years, preceded him in death on March 3, 2004.
A California native, Neilson was born in Oakland in 1922. He graduated from San Jose High School and attended San Jose State University before enlisting in the Army during World War II. He served in the European theater for six months as a private first class infantry rifleman with the famous Thirteenth Armored Division – The Black Cat – which captured Hitler’s hometown in Austria.
After the war, Neilson received his degree in zoology, followed by his graduation from the School of Optometry at the University of California Berkeley in 1949.
He and Eleanor moved to Gilroy that same year and set up his optometry practice. Forty-eight years later, he sold his practice to Paresh Patel, while continuing to work part-time. Heavily involved in his beloved community of Gilroy, he was a past president of the Gilroy School District Board, Wheeler Hospital/South Valley Hospital Board, South Valley Community Bank, Gilroy Rotary Club, and the California Optometric Association. He was the first Commissioner of Gilroy Little League Baseball. He also served as a board member of the Gilroy Community Theatre – acting in many local productions as well. Rarely idle, Dr. Neilson served as a City Councilman and member of the Planning Commission for the City of Gilroy, as well as an elder of the Gilroy Presbyterian Church, and was a member of the Gilroy Foundation and the Gilroy American Legion.
Neilson’s passions included flying, golfing, fishing, playing cribbage and most of all, being with his family.
He was the devoted father of Beverly Curry and her husband Dave of Santa Rosa, Doug Neilson and his wife Joanie of Milwaukee, Wis., and Marcie Neilson of Oakland; loving grandfather of Scott Curry and his wife Christina of Santa Rosa, Shelly Curry and her fiancé Jeff Randesi of San Francisco, Natalie Neilson and Brittany Neilson, both of Milwaukee.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 9, at the Gilroy Presbyterian Church, 6000 Miller Ave., under direction of Habing Family Funeral Home.
The family asks that any donations be made to the Gilroy Rotary Foundation, the Gilroy Foundation or a favorite charity.
