Obituary for Finn Halfdan Nilsen Jr.
Finn Halfdan Nilsen, Jr., a resident of Fishkill for 60 years, went home peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, November 7, 2022. He was surrounded by his loving wife and children. He lived 82 amazing years.
Son of the late Finn and Erna (Aase) Nilsen, he was born in Bergen, Norway on April 25, 1940. He emigrated to the United States in 1955. In 1959, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served until he was honorably discharged in 1964. Finn proudly became a United States citizen in 1962. He would often tell his family how good we have it in America.
Finn dedicated his entire professional career to the maritime industry. From the time he was a small boy, his dream was to work on the water. Through much hard work and dedication he worked his way up from a galley boy at the age of 15 to becoming a Master and First Class Pilot of Steam and Motor Vessels of any gross tons. After 46 years in the maritime industry he retired as Captain of the tugboat Empire State. His passion for seafaring inspired many of his family members to follow in his footsteps.
He loved sailing, skiing, and woodcarving. Finn was a member of the Sons of Norway Hudson Valley Lodge #432, Freemasons, Shriners International, the Mid–Hudson Chapter of Volvo Club of America, and the Chelsea Yacht Club. He was also a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Fishkill.
Above all else, he cherished spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, who lovingly called him Bestefar, which is the Norwegian way of saying Grandpa. His family would love to sit around him and listen to his stories of growing up in Norway, his adventures on the water, and also his many words of wisdom.
Finn met the love of his life, Vivian Mass, on a blind date in September of 1962. It was love at first sight and they were married on May 23, 1965 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mount Vernon. They had an amazing 57 years together filled with lots of love and laughter. They lived a very full life together. After retirement they enjoyed traveling around the country in their RV, taking cruises with their family, and just being together. They set an amazing example to their children of what a loving and giving marriage should be. Vivian survives at home and feels peace knowing that Finn is not suffering anymore and is in paradise with his Savior. She knows that she will be reunited with the love of her life one day.
Additional survivors include his son, Timothy Nilsen & his wife Julia of Wappingers Falls; his daughter, Kristen Wakley & her husband T.J. of Milton; his daughter Jennifer Mergl & her husband William of New Paltz; his grandchildren, Timothy Nilsen Jr., Anna Nilsen, Thomas Wakley Jr., Emma Wakley, Finn Wakley, Will Mergl, Elizabeth Mergl, Evelyn Mergl, and Madelyn Mergl; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other loving relatives & friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Sonja Horend and Ruthie Nechamkin. Finn was also predeceased by his two lifelong friends, Bill Weber and Richie Hughes.
When Finn was asked how he would like to be remembered, he replied, “I would want people to remember me as a loving husband and father who always wanted the very best for my family. I tried to be fair and honest in all my dealings whether at home or at work. I also had a very good sense of humor and loved to tell and hear a good joke. That’s how I would like people to remember me.” - Mission Accomplished!
Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 16 at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill, NY. At 7:30 there will be a Norwegian service held by the Sons of Norway. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. on Thursday November 17 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1400 Route 52, Fishkill, NY. Military Honors will be observed during the burial at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn: Processing Center, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394 ( www.shrinerschildrens.org)
For online tributes, you can visit Finn’s Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com
Son of the late Finn and Erna (Aase) Nilsen, he was born in Bergen, Norway on April 25, 1940. He emigrated to the United States in 1955. In 1959, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served until he was honorably discharged in 1964. Finn proudly became a United States citizen in 1962. He would often tell his family how good we have it in America.
Finn dedicated his entire professional career to the maritime industry. From the time he was a small boy, his dream was to work on the water. Through much hard work and dedication he worked his way up from a galley boy at the age of 15 to becoming a Master and First Class Pilot of Steam and Motor Vessels of any gross tons. After 46 years in the maritime industry he retired as Captain of the tugboat Empire State. His passion for seafaring inspired many of his family members to follow in his footsteps.
He loved sailing, skiing, and woodcarving. Finn was a member of the Sons of Norway Hudson Valley Lodge #432, Freemasons, Shriners International, the Mid–Hudson Chapter of Volvo Club of America, and the Chelsea Yacht Club. He was also a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Fishkill.
Above all else, he cherished spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, who lovingly called him Bestefar, which is the Norwegian way of saying Grandpa. His family would love to sit around him and listen to his stories of growing up in Norway, his adventures on the water, and also his many words of wisdom.
Finn met the love of his life, Vivian Mass, on a blind date in September of 1962. It was love at first sight and they were married on May 23, 1965 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mount Vernon. They had an amazing 57 years together filled with lots of love and laughter. They lived a very full life together. After retirement they enjoyed traveling around the country in their RV, taking cruises with their family, and just being together. They set an amazing example to their children of what a loving and giving marriage should be. Vivian survives at home and feels peace knowing that Finn is not suffering anymore and is in paradise with his Savior. She knows that she will be reunited with the love of her life one day.
Additional survivors include his son, Timothy Nilsen & his wife Julia of Wappingers Falls; his daughter, Kristen Wakley & her husband T.J. of Milton; his daughter Jennifer Mergl & her husband William of New Paltz; his grandchildren, Timothy Nilsen Jr., Anna Nilsen, Thomas Wakley Jr., Emma Wakley, Finn Wakley, Will Mergl, Elizabeth Mergl, Evelyn Mergl, and Madelyn Mergl; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other loving relatives & friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Sonja Horend and Ruthie Nechamkin. Finn was also predeceased by his two lifelong friends, Bill Weber and Richie Hughes.
When Finn was asked how he would like to be remembered, he replied, “I would want people to remember me as a loving husband and father who always wanted the very best for my family. I tried to be fair and honest in all my dealings whether at home or at work. I also had a very good sense of humor and loved to tell and hear a good joke. That’s how I would like people to remember me.” - Mission Accomplished!
Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 16 at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill, NY. At 7:30 there will be a Norwegian service held by the Sons of Norway. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. on Thursday November 17 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1400 Route 52, Fishkill, NY. Military Honors will be observed during the burial at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn: Processing Center, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394 ( www.shrinerschildrens.org)
For online tributes, you can visit Finn’s Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com