Albert Carl “Buddy” Nielsen Jr.
Albert Carl “Buddy” Nielsen Jr. passed away on Jan. 4, 2017, in Washington, where he had resided since 1988. He was 68.
A military service was held Friday, March 10, in Washington.
Albert was born Nov. 28, 1948, in Sitka, the first child of Albert Nielsen Sr. and Ethel (Joseph) Makinen.
Albert’s Tlingit name was Geek’i and he was Raven/Coho of the L’uknax.ádi clan from L’ook Hit. His paternal grandparents were Peter and Dora Nielsen and maternal grandparents were Charlie and Annie Joseph.
Albert graduated from Sitka High School in 1966, and attended college in Washington. He served in the United States Navy from 1968-1972; his rating was E4 E23, a 3rd class petty officer. He served with an air wing, stationed in Hawaii, and was a Vietnam veteran. While in the Navy he met and married Anita (Domalogan) McGowan and was married to her for 36 years.
He was a clerk for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, when the offices were located at the now Mt. Edgecumbe High School. He was at Alaska Lumber and Pulp for many years; then at a lumber yard in Washington until retiring.
Albert was a Jehovah Witness for many years and held a leadership role. He was baptized in St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church and his church name was Alexi. His aunt was proud when he came back home to Sitka and he and his cousin John James did not forget the veneration of the holy icons upon entering the church. He and his cousin told their aunt that they never forgot having grown up in the church.
Albert’s family will miss him as they often did after he moved away from Sitka in 1988. His family said they are thankful that Albert is no longer suffering from the health problems he endured for years. His mother and sister, Lillian, were happy to see him, his children and grandchildren in December each year.
“He is now with our father, Albert Nielsen Sr. who died of cancer when his six children were very young, and our brothers Thomas and Phillip who passed in 2010 and 2014.”
Albert’s wish was to move back home to Sitka and he talked about this for many years. Unfortunately, he was not well enough to make the trip.
He is survived by his mother, Ethel “Daasdiyaa” Makinen who is 85; his brothers, Jeffrey Nielsen, Kenneth Nielsen Sr. (whose son K.L., lived with Albert when he was very young and called Albert “Uncle Pa”); and sister, Lillian Nielsen Young (husband Kyle and children Kyla and Joshua).
He loved his children and grandchildren very much. His grandchildren referred to him as Papa. He is survived by his sons Nick Nason (wife, Maria and grandchildren Mica, Nica and Jade Nason), William Nielsen (Lynn and grandchildren Olivia, Sabrina and Tristan), Julie Wischer (Bernie and grandchildren Makayla, Alyssa, Jennevieve, Jenae and Zacharias), Melanie Nielsen and Nicole Nielsen (Jason and grandchildren Morgan, Lyla and Jacob).
His daughter, Melanie took care of him for many years so that he did not have to live in an assisted living home. This took a lot of work and his family is thankful for this.
He was predeceased by his father Albert Carl Nielsen Sr.; his brothers Thomas Nielsen and Phillip Nielsen; and a granddaughter, Isabella Renee Nielsen (William and Lynn).
Albert’s mom, Ethel (Joseph) Makinen, may be contacted at 717 Biorka Street Sitka, AK 99835. Cards will be forwarded to his children.
