Randolph Almond Nielsen

Randolph “Buzz” Nielsen, age 77, of Newport, passed on Monday April 8th 2024. He is preceded in death by his father, Randoph T. Nielsen, his mother, Doris Galpin Nielsen, and his son R.T. Nielsen. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Jacquelyn Nielsen; daughter, Sarah D. Nielsen; his 7 grandpups – Gizmo, Pepper, Piney, Jasmine, Jolene, Oreo & Lolly; and son, Dean Nielsen - all of Newport. As well as his “big” sister, Lois Cunliffe, of Southold, NY. Buzz had a zest for life and loved his family most of all. Whether it was teaching Sarah to water ski at age 3, studying so she could get her boating license, “fixing” the pontoon boat so it always broke down when Sarah took it out at night with friends, entertaining friends & family at the lake in East Hampton, CT; driving up and down the East coast with Sarah’s pink scooter on the back of the RV (with all the Truckers honking at Dad and talking about it on the CB radio) going to AQHA horse shows; driving Corvettes across all of the US with Jackie or cruising with fellow Corvette lovers; joining Corvette Racing at races both in the US and of course at LeMans; raising 4 seeing eye dog puppies with Sarah & Jackie – and yes teaching Jasmine “rub my belly”; or just going to Dollywood and driving his scooter around the park – Buzz lived his life to the fullest! His smile was contagious, and he had a sense of humor right up to the end! You may have passed him in Walmart, Lowes or Marshalls in Newport and he’d look at you with a smile and tell you “have a Merry Christmas! I might not see you again before then”. Friends always said he could have his own stand-up comedy show the way he could tell stories and have people laughing. Buzz was a man who gave 100% to whatever his focus was. Whether that was showing horses with Sarah, boating in Lake Pocotopaug, his local Corvette clubs, supporting Corvette Racing, guide dog puppies…but mostly he gave 100% to his loving wife and daughter. Even up to his last day he would tell Jackie how much he loved her and Sarah how proud he was of her. They never knew a day without his love and that sparkle in his blue eyes. Throughout his life Buzz got involved with many different organizations. He was very proud of his 55+ year Masonic membership and is a Past Master of Anchor Lodge in East Hampton, CT; a formerly active Shriner, Jester and Kentucky Colonel. Buzz was a lifetime member of the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY. He served as a Board Member from 2002 – 2009, and as Chairman from 2006-2007. As Buzz got older his love of America grew. He was a very proud American and actively supported veterans. In lieu of flowers please send donations to either the Masonic Charity Foundation of Connecticut (https://www.masonicare.org/support-masonicare/donate-now#contact), Tunnel to Towers (https://t2t.org/donate/), The National Corvette Museum (https://donate.corvettemuseum.org/GeneralForm.cfm) or Southeastern Guide Dogs (https://www.guidedogs.org/?form=donate). A letter to my dad, Buzz Nielsen. I was your little girl from that cold day in February 1979 to your last day, April 8th. It didn’t matter what I did, where I was or how old I was – I was your baby girl! And you let me know every day how much you loved me and how proud of me you were.

Randolph Almond Nielsen

September 28, 1946 - April 8, 2024