Donald Albert Neslund
July 2, 1942 - Dec. 6, 2021
Donald Neslund was a brilliant, fun-loving, boisterous, generous man. He deeply loved his family and always made an effort to stay connected with the people in his life. Don was a proud Army Veteran who was stationed at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, where he tested the Shillelagh Guided Missile System. Don was born and raised in Chicago and was a proud St. Rita alum. Don was an Architectural Engineer and later formed his own company, Safety and Loss Control Associates, where he contributed his expertise to construction safety and OSHA compliance issues. Don led safety courses for NASA, Lewis Research Center, Fermilab, and Abbott Laboratories and was a certified safety executive for the World Safety Organization and a former Construction Division Executive committee member for The National Safety Council. Don was a faculty member of the Construction Safety Management Academy at Clemson University in South Carolina. Don acted as an expert witness in numerous court cases involving construction accidents.
Don raised his two daughters, Alane (Matt) Carlson and Gillian (Tim) Carlson, in Mount Prospect with his late wife, Gerry. Don and Gerry were actively involved at St. Thomas Becket Catholic Church, where Don was a Minister of Communion and Gerry a Lecturer. They enjoyed running the church Teen and Young Adult clubs together - especially hosting 1950's dances which included an Elvis impersonator, of course. Don and Gerry loved to jitterbug and were often spotted dancing to their doo-wop music on Saturday mornings. They had many friends and were active in camping trips, neighborhood walks, and supper clubs. After losing his wife Gerry, Don was blessed with a second act in life when he married his late wife Lynne (McLaughlin). Together, Don and Lynne shared a passion for adventure and travel. Two curious people with an appetite for exploration and adventure, Don and Lynne were ideal travel companions and life partners. They traveled to South Africa on safari and were avid cyclists and wine enthusiasts. Don counted Lynne's daughter, Michelle (Scott) Wilson, and granddaughters’ Claire and Emma Wilson as his own.
Don was a loving, doting grandfather (Papa Don) to Alane’s son, Declan Axel Carlson and Gillian’s son, Max Carlson. He spent hours building with Legos, having MythBuster marathons, and taking both grandsons to Cantigny Park to show them “his tank”. Don is survived by his brother, Robert (Marlene) Neslund, and sister-in-law, Kathleen Vokac. He is also predeceased by his parents, Axel and Rose, and Stepfather Al and Brother, Jim Vokac. Don has many nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends.
Visitation for Don is on Saturday, December 18, 2021, from 12 p.m. to time of service 3 p.m. at DeFiore Funeral Home, 10763 Dundee Road, Huntley.
Don's service will be streamed on the DeFiore Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/defiorefuneral/
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Don's name can be made to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration https://www.theaftd.org/support-aftds-mission/
For further information please call the funeral home at 847-515-8772 or online condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com
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He is going to be deeply missed but finely at peace. Together with Gerry, Lynne and brother Jim watching over us. Party time up in Heaven has now begun. Til we all meet again
Don: You had an amazing life added by a loving family and friends. You will be missed by all Peace Joyce and Connie
We at the Leisure Riders group had much adventures, laughter and fun over several years.
It’s always difficult to say goodbye to a loved one. Donald gave so many of us love and laughter. He will always be in our hearts
"The finest eloquence is that which gets things done." I certainly think this quote typified Don's life and accomplishments. He will be missed, but he is in a better place!
We will always remember our Uncle Donald as full of life and joy. He lived life to the fullest and was lucky enough to find true love not just once but twice in his life. Rest in Peace Uncle Donald
We always enjoyed our time with Don: Catching up on our lives, reminiscing about old times, & sharing the latest news about our families. We shared a precious friendship. He was a dear friend whom we loved & he will be greatly missed.
I’ll always remember Don’s kind and caring nature and his love of family and friends and — fun! Rest In Peace, Cousin Don. You’ll be missed.
Alane and Gillian, I was blessed to know you Dad. He was the life of the party. I am sorry for our loss butt glad he is upstairs dancing. Love Melissa.
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
So sorry to hear of Don's passing. I remember many good times we spent on the bike trail.