John Joseph Nelis, Jr.

John Joseph Nelis, Jr, 65, died peacefully surrounded by family September 14, 2017. John was the son of Mary and John Nelis, brother of Maureen, Thomas (Cindy), Donna (Lin), Eileen, Diane, Joseph, Patricia (Bill), Mariellen (Guy). John is survived by many nieces and nephews and his Aunts Mary Louise Ferry, Patricia Hynes and Cathy (Frank) Pfeiffer. John graduated from Charlotte Catholic High School '70 and attended the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He was a socially active young man with a love for music and snappy clothes and a developing interest in visual art when he was tragically injured in a car accident April, 1972. After 17 months in a coma, John came home to his family where he was lovingly cared for over the next 25 years before moving to Holy Angels. John had a million dollar smile, a listening heart and a joy for life that brightened the many lives he touched. The family wishes to express gratitude to their extended family, many friends, and health care providers, including the dedicated Holy Angels Oakcrest staff, Hospice and Palliative Care of Charlotte, Drs. T. Kocak (dec.), J.L. Garvey (dec.), R. Crouch, C.E. Fisher and R. Meredith, who loved and cared for John. The family is indebted to Frs. Anthony Kovacic (dec.) and Frank O'Rourke for their kindness and ministry to John over many years. John is preceded in death by his dad, grandparents, Aunts Sr. Francis de Sales, SSJ (Peg) and Sr. Mary Josephine, RSM (Jodie) and his niece, Siobhan. The following services will be held at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, Prayer service followed by visitation with the family, Tuesday, Sept 19th 6:30-8:30 PM. Mass of Christian Burial, Wednesday, September 20th 11 AM followed by a reception at the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers memorials can be sent to: Warrior Angel Foundation U.S. Military Traumatic Brain Injury treatment - waftbi.org, The Heart of Camden - heartofcamden.org. Prayer Service Tuesday, September 19, 2017 6:30 PM - 7:00 PM St. Gabriel Catholic Church 3016 Providence Rd. Charlotte NC 28211 United States 7043645431 Visitation Tuesday, September 19, 2017 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM St. Gabriel Catholic Church 3016 Providence Rd. Charlotte NC 28211 United States 7043645431 Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday, September 20, 2017 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM St. Gabriel Catholic Church 3016 Providence Rd. Charlotte NC 28211 United States 7043645431 Reception Wednesday, September 20, 2017 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM St. Gabriel Catholic Church 3016 Providence Rd. Charlotte NC 28211 United States 7043645431