Joshua Anthony Nelson came into this world on June 19, 1999 at Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich, NY, the son of Patricia (Anthony) and Jay Nelson. It was a beautiful sunny day; and in typical Josh style, he was born with a huge smile on his face, instantly making our world a better one. Sadly, Josh left us unexpectedly this Monday, June 27, 2016.
Joshua is survived by many family members who loved him so. Mother Patricia and Step-Father and Friend Eric Moore, Father Jay Nelson. Siblings Jenna Nelson (Chad Hunter), Trevor Nelson (Tiffany Hetzel), Allie Nelson, Joseph Nelson, Jackson Moore, Eric Moore Jr., Ethan Moore and Mikaela Moore. Maternal grandparents Rich and Peggy Anthony, paternal grandparents Jack and Barbara Nelson. Maternal aunt and uncle, Kelly and Troy Smith, cousins Jacob Smith, Brady Smith and Charlie Smith, who simply adored him. Paternal aunt and uncle, Jill and Ted Nelson, cousins Tyler (Nikki) Nelson and Griffin (Charity) Nelson. Paternal uncle and aunt, Jack and Suzy Nelson, cousins Paul Nelson, Erin Nelson, Greg (Svetlana) Nelson and Jackie Nelson. Paternal Uncle Jeff Nelson, cousins Missy (Mike) Chrystie, Jessy (Mark) Fish, and Jeremy Nelson. Paternal aunt and uncle, Jolinda (Rick) Westerberg and cousins Jake (Lauren) Westerberg.
Joshua was predeceased by his paternal aunt, Susan Marrone Nelson.
Joshua is also survived by family best friend, Nelson “Lukey” Lucier, his second Mom Barbara Wade, his Godmother Linda Seiler and family, and Godfather Timmy Ryan and family.
Though Joshua was just a tender seventeen years old, he was lucky enough to have found love with the beautiful Amy Branham, and for that we will always be grateful. We love you, Amy.
Josh was also lucky to be a member of another family. The family he chose. Hand-picked, one by one, year by year, over the course of his life. We have been so fortunate to see these boys grow and bond so tightly. At any point and time, night or day, Josh would bring one or all home to mom or dad’s house, to Grandma and Papa’s, to Aunt Kelly and Uncle Troy’s, or Barb’s for a pit stop. Playing ditch, riding the beast, going for a swim, playing basketball, grabbing a bite to eat, taking a shower, grabbing a ride. It could have been anything, any reason to come by and say hi. We are all grateful for each and every moment. Rece Camadine, Tommy Voce, Jon Heggie, Matt Moore, Franny Quintana, Kevin and Jason Davis, Jacob Marrone, Cole Rice, Danny Woodford, Nick Gardner, Garrett Sylstra, and the rest of Josh’s clan, please know that we love you and you are always welcome in our homes. To these boys and their families, who took Josh in and loved him as their own, we are forever in your debt. He loved each and every one of you with every ounce of his big giant heart.
Josh was a scholar, an athlete, an artist and he loved his music. Josh excelled at everything he chose to do. These things came easily to him. Things. People. Places. There was nothing he could not do, and not a heart he could not conquer. Josh had friends everywhere. He effortlessly formed life long bonds with special teachers and coaches. Josh was a member of the National Honor Society. He was smart as a whip and never missed a beat. He didn’t stress about studying and didn’t stay up all night, because he just had it. If you missed a beat, he let you know it, and we all loved him for it. Josh played sports from the moment he could walk. Football (man was he fast), basketball (the smallest “big man” under the basket), baseball (he threw hard and fast, but he didn’t love it because if he didn’t hit a home run, he probably struck out), golf (every chance he had, with his boys, his dad, his brothers or his grandpas), tennis (who knew? Fran & Jason knew), chess (I told you he was smart). Josh never met a rubix cube he couldn’t master, a dirt bike or hover board he couldn’t ride. He loved to hunt and fish with his dad, brother and grandpa. He spent countless hours in the outdoors. Josh was teaching himself the guitar (just like his dad), and loved, loved, loved his music. Wherever Josh was, there was music. Sometimes in the shower in the middle of the night. LOUD. But it was Josh, and that made it okay.
Josh always did what Josh wanted to do. In his own time, in his own way. He was independent and capable. Caring and kind. Weird and quirky. Funny and sweet. Goofy. Man was he goofy. He wore a dress better than most women. He had the best cat walk ever. He was huggy, kissy, cuddly and loving. Josh loved his family and friends fiercely. (Almost as much as we loved him.) The first one to know you needed a hug or an “I love you.” He did his own thing, when he wanted, where he wanted and with whom he wanted. There were times he would sit down and share with no boundaries. The next time you spoke, he might be tight lipped. His secrets were his. He was crazy stubborn and at times so set in his ways; you would swear he was an old man. He always had a smile, a joke, a quip to get you going. He sang to you out of the blue. Sometimes you just had to shake your head. Then you would see that smile, that beautiful smile. You would see the “flo” he was sporting (not quite long enough for the dreaded man bun or his goal of growing it as long as Uncle Jeff’s) and you just loved him. For all that he was.
Our beautiful Joshua. Son. Grandson. Brother. Cousin. Nephew. Best friend. Boyfriend. The boy in the hall. The athlete on the court. The student in the classroom. You have no idea the gaping hole you have left. From those of us closest to your heart, to those you barely knew. A trail of broken hearts in your wake. You are that boy. We will miss the sound of your voice, the light of your face, the feel of your hug, the sound of your “I love you.” We will miss your music, your smelly Nelson feet, the flash of your perfect teeth, the angle of your chiseled jaw, the silk of your blonde hair. Those eyes. Those lips. Your car in the driveway. Your crocs by the door. We will hold each other tight until the day that we can hold you again.
Our Joshua. We will love you forever and a day. And the day after that.
Arrangements for Joshua have been made in care of the Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main Street, Oxford, NY. Friends and family are welcome to call Saturday, July 2nd from 12-3 and 5-8 at the Behe Funeral Home. A service in Joshua’s memory will be held Sunday, July 3rd at 3 pm at the Oxford Academy High School gymnasium. All are welcome.
Josh’s final contribution was the gift of life. On behalf of Josh, we would ask you to consider becoming a tissue and organ donor. Josh’s legacy will live on in the people that receive his donations, and the people who love them. In lieu of flowers, Josh’s family is in the process of setting up the Joshua A. Nelson Scholarship Fund that will be available for contributions at the NBT Bank of Oxford.