David Henry NELSON

Retired Niagara Regional Police (Welland) Constable David “Knuckles” Nelson is 10-7 (out of service).

It is with sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Dave at 10:07 a.m. Friday, May 22, 2026. He was surrounded by his loving family.

He is now reunited with Rosemarie Bakos (née Walker), his partner for 22 years.

He will be sorely missed by his children, Terry Nelson and Virginia (née Nelson) St-Denis (Normand); stepson, Mike Bakos (Tamara née Mckinley); and step-grandchildren, Justin Wimmer, John Bakos, and Kelly Lang, who called him “Pops.”

Dave enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1961 and served for three years with the Provost Corps. One of the original members of the Niagara Regional Police Service, he served for 31 years before retiring in 1996.

After his retirement, he enjoyed riding his Honda Gold Wing motorcycle to the West Coast and then the East Coast. He was a member of the Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club.

Dave was also a member of the Greater Niagara Model Railroad Engineers, which includes Nelson Heights in their layout. He enjoyed building and working on his own model railway, which featured several family names and businesses.

Cremation has taken place. Burial and a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at the Interim Long-Term Care section of the Extended Care Unit at the Welland Hospital. They took such good care of him during his four years there, especially during his last few weeks.