Skilled upholsterer with gift of singing

OBITUARY: Frank Nelson, Navan

OBITUARY: Frank Nelson, Navan

Frank Nelson, Athlumney, Navan, who died at the Mater Hospital on Monday 4th March, was a well-known figure in the town and a member of one of Navan's oldest families, working in the furniture industry.

Aged 87, he had been in relatively good health up until Christmas of last year, often to be seen enjoying a stroll around his home town or singing with the Navan Male Voice Choir or St Mary's Church Choir.

Frank was the eldest of four children born to Jack and Mary Nelson of Emmet Terrace on 31st March 1936.

Mary, who died in 2014 just 11 days short of her 102nd birthday, was a Murphy whose father worked as a labourer and gilly for Fitzherberts of Blackcastle Estate. She worked in Marsh's clothing factory, and married Jack Nelson from Kilmainham, Kells, who worked in Spicers Bakery.

Frank attended school in the De La Salle Brothers, where he got his Primary Certificate. In August 1950, as a young teenager, he started work as a trainee upholsterer in William 'Bard' Walsh's furniture factory, alongside classmate, Marlowe Casey, who trained as a cabinetmaker.

At the time, you had to work for two years before formally serving your time. He started as a 'gofor' on 12 shillings a week.

From 1952 to 1958, Frank was an apprentice upholsterer. His brother, Alfie, joined him in Walsh's, while another brother, Tom, was a machinist in Moran's, and his sister was a seamstress in Marsh's clothing factory.

Frank married Imelda Brennan, who also worked in Marsh's, in 1960, and in 1962, he began working for Joe Murphy of Athboy, before returning to various furniture firms in Navan, and finally setting up his own Royal County Furniture in 1968. He started out in a small shed behind his then home in Academy Street, expanding in time to Beechmount Industrial Estate. At one stage, some 27 people were employed there before the recessionary 1980s arrived, and Frank suffered a heart attack in 1986 with the pressures of business. After that, he took a back seat in the firm. There was a voluntary liquidation, before Nelsons were able to buy back their old premises, eventually selling it in 2018. Having returned, Frank retired in 2004. His eldest son, Davy, is still trading under the name Royal County Furniture.

As a young boy, Frank and his late brother, Alfie, accompanied their mother on the first ever Meath Pilgrimage to Lourdes, and he visited it on many occasions afterwards. A daily Mass-goer, he was also involved in the Adoration of the Eucharist group at St Mary's Church.

Frank was a member of the Navan Male Voice Choir, and he recorded a CD called 'The Wonder of You' dedicated to Imelda, who died in February 2017. He was also a member of the St Mary’s Parish Choir, Meath Diocesan Choir and Marian Singers.

Navan O'Mahonys GAA paid tribute to Frank, “a great supporter of the club” who won three minor titles in a row with De La Salles in the 1950s. He shared memories of those days for a club history project last year and spoke with pride about supporting his children and grandchildren in the blue and white hoops.

Greyhound Racing Ireland said that Frank was a great enthusiast of greyhound racing, and a regular fixture at Navan, Dundalk, and Shelbourne Park for many years and was seen as one of the shrewdest judges around.

“A real student of the formbook, his ability to pick winners saw him land many big jackpots at Shelbourne Park, while he was something of an expert in the ante-post market, picking a number Derby winners through the years,” it said.

“A proud son of Meath, Frank was also hugely knowledgeable on GAA, particularly when it came to his beloved Royals. One of life’s great gentleman, Frank would spend any evening at the dogs deep in conversation with his many friends.”

Frank Nelson is survived by his family, David, Paul, Alan, Francis, Linda and Gary; sister, Madge, brother Tom; daughters-in-law, Geraldine, Janette, Martina, Clodagh, Sinéad and Pamela, son-in-law, Finbarr Murray; 15 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends; extended family in Ireland and the UK, good neighbours and a large circle of friends.

His funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Navan, to St Mary's Cemetery, celebrated by Fr Robert McCabe, CC, assisted by Fr Mark English, PP, Duleek, and Fr Barry Maguire, SSC.