SOUTH PORTLAND - Nelson Elliott Butler, 92, passed away November 20th, 2024, at Maine Medical Center after complications from a recent illness.

Nelson was born February 23, 1932, in Union, Maine to Raymond and Dorothy Butler. His early years were spent exploring the woods, lakes and ponds of Union with his two brothers Frank and Kimball where he developed his love of the outdoors and hunting and fishing.

In the 1930's it was common for children to work to help the family, and Nelson would work in the blueberry fields during harvest for a quarter cent a pound. Grade school was a one room school house in town where through the winter months he would have to board with a town family until spring when the road to the farm was passable.

When Nelson was 11 the family moved to Cape Elizabeth for his father's job opportunity in ship repair and rebuilding industry. From there they moved to South Portland where he graduated from South Portland High School in June 1950.

In March of 1951 Nelson joined the services and served in the Army as a paratrooper during the Korean War until honorably discharged in March 1954. He returned to South Portland after the war and worked alongside of his father learning the carpenter trade. Eventually running his own construction company, N.E. Butler Inc. He worked in the carpenter trade until he retired at the age of 85 in 2017.

Nelson married Louise Mansfield in 1956 and had three daughters. They eventually separated and he re-married Sandra West in 1984. They spent 40 years together with him caring for her until her death in February of 2022.

In the last years of his life, Nelson enjoyed spending time with his two daughters, 16 great grandchildren and good friend Larry West. Sharing stories of his life.

Nelson was a mild mannered, kind and generous man who will be loved and remembered by many.

Nelson is survived by his daughters, Maria Moustrouphis of Portland and Judy Dupuis of Buxton, granddaughter Jillian Dupuis of Buxton, grandson Alex Moustrouphis of Portland, and granddaughters Malerie Dow of Hollis, Sarah Muldrum of Raymond, Kristen Grimaldi of Portland, Rebecca Joseloff of New York, Elizabeth Zielinski of South Portland and 16 greatgrandchildren. He is predeceased by his daughter Sandra Berry formally of Buxton and his wife Sandra West Butler formally of South Portland.

An honor guard service will be held in the spring of 2025 at Highland/Groveville Cemetery in Buxton Maine.