Nelson “Nellie” “Uncle Nelson” Durland passed away on August 2, 2026, after a short battle with cancer. Nelson was born on June 19, 1938, to the late John N. And Doris D. Durland.

Nelson proudly served his country serving five years in the Army Reserve and getting an Honorable Discharge November 1962, he was also a charter member of the AM Vets Post 50.

Nelson was a member of Hurleyville Fire Department for 69 years. He served for three years as Fire Chief.

Nelson is a Past President of both Sullivan County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association and the Hudson Valley Volunteer Fighter’s Association. In 2009 he was honored to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from both associations.

Nelson is a life member of the NYS Fire Chiefs and a member of Firemen’s Association State of New York where he served for 5 years on the Resolutions Committee.

Nelson was an honorary member of the Livingston Manor Fire Dept., Liberty Hose & Truck Company #2 and Ontario Hose Company #3, Neversink Fire Dept., Woodbourne Fire Dept. and Pioneer Engine of Ellenville.

Nelson worked for 30 years at the Sullivan County Dept. of Social Services, retiring in 1995.

He served on the Sullivan County Fire Advisory Board for ten years, Chairman five years and provided the leadership on getting our first centralized control center for emergencies in 1989.

He is a 62-year Mason and was awarded the Heart & Hand Community Service Award from the Grand Lodge in 2007. He is also a life member of the Liberty Elks.

In 2016 Nelson was honored at West Point for 50 years of Army football and 25 years of community service to the West Point Cadets at an Army game at halftime.

In 2018 Nelson was honored by the Sullivan County Legislature with Citizen of the Year Award representing the Sullivan County Fire Service.

Nelson is a long-time member of the Red Horse Hunting Camp in Claryville, Loch Sheldrake-Hurleyville Rod & Gun Club and Catskill OB’s, where he served as scholarship chairman for many years.

Nelson is survived by his wife Joan of 58 years, a son Eric of Nevada and a Godson John Edwards of Buffalo, his nephews John Robbins of Colorado and Jeffrey Cook of Massachusetts.

Calling hours will be on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, from 4-7 pm at Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 State Route 52, Woodbourne, NY 12788; a Masonic Lodge Service will be held 7 PM followed by Firematic services. A funeral service will be at the Liberty Presbyterian Church on Thursday, August 6th, 2026, at 10 am. Interment will be in the Hurleyville Cemetery.

Arrangements were under the care of Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, for further information please call 845-434-7363 or visit http://www.colonialfamilyfuneralhomes.com/.