Walter A. Nelson Jr., who grew up on Lake Montauk and founded Montauk Aquaculture Development, died of a brief illness on April 6 at the Bronx home of his daughter Karin O’Connor. He was 82.
“He lived his entire life on the lake,” according to Ms. O’Connor. “His personal passion for watercraft of all kinds — motorboats, sailboats, canoes, kayaks, water skiing, aquaplaning, and, later in life, stand-up paddleboards — made for all kinds of fun and excitement for his family.”
A dedicated clammer, he founded Montauk Aquaculture Development in 2004 in a consortium with his neighbors on the east side of Lake Montauk. The project helped seed more than 1 million clams on a 16-acre plot for which the consortium still owns the underwater rights. “Having grown up on the lake, he realized the shellfish were waning, and he ran with it,” Ms. O’Connor said.
Mr. Nelson was born in the Bronx on July 27, 1937, to Walter Nelson Sr. and the former Charlotte Singer. He grew up in the Bronx and in Montauk, where his parents spent their holidays, summers, and weekends.
He attended Evander Childs High School in the Bronx and graduated from SUNY Maritime College in 1961 with a degree in engineering and a commission in the Navy. He served as an officer in the merchant marine and the Navy Reserve.
Equipped with a master’s degree from Columbia University, he spent most of his career at SUNY Maritime in many roles, including dean of students. He retired in 2002. He also owned the former Amoco gas station in Montauk.
Mr. Nelson married Joyce Murphy in 1968. A teacher, she died in June 2004. Three children, Joyce-Marie Nelson of Brooklyn, Walter Nelson III of Montauk, and Ms. O’Connor, and three grandchildren survive him. A fourth child, Laura, died in 1985.
He will be buried with his wife and daughter at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in East Hampton. Because of Covid-19-related precautions, a service will be held at a later date.
The family has suggested memorial contributions to Throggs Neck Benevolent Association, P.O. Box 342, Bronx 10465. Ms. O’Connor is a longstanding member of that organization.
