Charles “Charlie” Nielson, 77, a lifelong resident of New Paltz, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at New Paltz Center, with his family by his side.
Born in Columbia, SC, Charlie was the son of the late James and Eva Miller Refo Nielson.
A proud alum of the Campus School and a 1966 graduate of New Paltz High School, Charlie continued his education at Ulster County Community College and Franklin Pierce College in Rindge, NH, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Marketing.
Charlie began his professional career as the owner of Henry’s Hardware, located on Lower Main Street in New Paltz. Recognizing a community need for tradesmen, he transitioned from the hardware business to start Nielson Water Systems. Over the next 45 years, Charlie and his company became a trusted community partner, providing plumbing, well pump services, and residential and agricultural irrigation. In 2023, Charlie had the privilege of traveling to Gurigho, Burkina Faso, where he helped install a pump that brought running water to the village for the very first time.
An avid lover of the outdoors, Charlie enjoyed spending his free time on the water both in New York and in the South Carolina Low Country, with friends and family.
Charlie is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ruth Ellen Nielson of New Paltz; four sons, Mark Nielson and his wife Heather of Gardiner, Matthew Nielson and his wife Michelle of Highland, Michael Nielson and his wife Nikki of New Paltz, and CJ Nielson of Gardiner; and eight grandchildren, Jacob, Sean, Grace, Savannah, Nicolene, Norah, Amy, and Eva.
In addition to his parents, Charlie was predeceased by his sister, Pam Nielson, and his brother, Frank Nielson.
Charlie was a member of the Gardiner Reformed Church in Gardiner, NY, and the Hidden Harbor Yacht Club in Port Ewen, NY.
The family will receive friends at the Copeland-Hammerl Funeral Home, 162 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, on Friday, May 2, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 10:00 AM at the Gardiner Reformed Church, followed by interment at New Paltz Rural Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of Gurigho, 176 Main Street, New Paltz, NY 12561 (https://www.friendsofguirgho.org/donate) or to the Gardiner Reformed Church, PO Box 261, Gardiner, NY 12525.
Copeland-Hammerl Funeral Home is honored to assist the Nielson family with arrangements.
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