Donald Neilson, 81, of Hyde Park, NY, passed away at home on October 17, 2016. He was born in Poughkeepsie, NY on August 20, 1935 to the late John and Harriett Neilson. He graduated from Arlington High School and worked at Conklin Instruments in Poughkeepsie for 20 years retiring in the year 2000. Don was an electrical engineer most of his life and was an R/C enthusiast and scale model builder, having built many R/C airplanes, boats, and taking tremendous pride in doing so.

Survivors include his children; Brian Keith Neilson (Judy), Donna Lynn Knapp, Karen Leigh Runza (Jimmy), and Linda Ann Hamill, grandchildren; Nicholas, Rebecca, Jessica, Patrick, Cristina, Ashley, and Emily, great-grandchild; Bo Jackson. He was predeceased by his grandmother; Violet Stout.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 21, 2016, 10AM – 12PM with a funeral service beginning at 12PM at the Joseph J. Darrow Sr. Funeral Home Inc., 39 So. Hamilton Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. (845-452-1840). Burial to follow in the family plot in LaGrange Rural Cemetery.   To send online condolences, please visit www.darrowfuneralhome.org