LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the dedication and renaming of the
BRAVO Volunteer Ambulance Service Classroom to the Walter J. Nelson, Jr.
Classroom, and honoring the memory of this beloved man

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who made significant
contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
dedication and renaming of the BRAVO Volunteer Ambulance Service Class-
room to the Walter J. Nelson, Jr. Classroom, and honoring the memory of
this beloved man; and
WHEREAS, This momentous occasion will be celebrated with a Plaque and
Dedication Ceremony in his honor on Saturday, January 31, 2015, at the
BRAVO Volunteer Ambulance Service, Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, The son of Walter J. Nelson, Sr. and the late Rose P.
(Rasso) Nelson, Walter J. Nelson, Jr. was born on June 4, 1954, in
Brooklyn, New York; he spent his childhood in Park Slope before moving
to Bay Ridge; and
WHEREAS, Walter J. Nelson, Jr. began his life-long illustrious career
as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) at Bay Ridge Ambulance Volun-
teer Organization (BRAVO); he was a life-time member of BRAVO in good
standing where he held positions on the Board of Directors, Vice-Presi-
dent of Operations and Senior Instructor of the Training Department; and
WHEREAS, In addition, for more than three decades, Walter J. Nelson,
Jr. worked for the New York City Emergency Service of the Fire Depart-
ment, during which time he rose to the esteemed status of Lieutenant;
and
WHEREAS, Walter J. Nelson, Jr. spent most of his career at Station 31
located in the Cumberland section of Brooklyn; he was a mentor to many
new EMT's and Paramedics who looked to him for his skills and leadership
in the field of emergency medicine; and
WHEREAS, With a steadfast commitment and dedication to the community
he so ably served, Walter J. Nelson, Jr. organized Christmas Toy Drives
for the children in local shelters as well as Thanksgiving dinners for
the less fortunate families of the neighborhood; his charitable heart
and love for mankind will always be remembered by the Bay Ridge, Brook-
lyn community; and
WHEREAS, A parishioner of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish since 1977,
Walter J. Nelson, Jr. served as a Saturday night Sacristan for more than
25 years; he also organized and ran the St. Vincent DePaul Annual
Christmas Craft Fair for more than two decades, a fundraiser for the
underprivileged of Bay Ridge; and
WHEREAS, Walter J. Nelson, Jr.'s expertise and passion for his life's
work expanded to Massachusetts where he was an adjunct Professor for
Massachusetts Community Bay College; he was held in high esteem for not
only his New York experience as a Lieutenant, but also his knowledge and
love for the field of Emergency Medicine; and
WHEREAS, This extraordinary man clearly had an enduring impact on the
Bay Ridge Ambulance Volunteer Organization, as well as the community-at-
large, and accordingly merits just tribute and recognition for the
impressive dedication he had for others throughout his life; and
WHEREAS, Walter J. Nelson, Jr. is survived by his father, Walter J.
Nelson, Sr.; his loving wife, Mary Theresa; son, Kristofor; daughter,
Pia; sister, Donna; brother, Eric, and many loving family members; and
WHEREAS, The dedication of the BRAVO Volunteer Ambulance Service
Classroom where Walter J. Nelson, Jr. led with such talent, zeal, and
joy is a fitting tribute to a life well-lived and a life worth remember-

ing, a lasting memorial to an individual who gave honor and dignity to
the field of emergency medicine; and
WHEREAS, The Walter J. Nelson, Jr. Classroom will long endure as an
inspiration and legacy to all who had the privilege and honor of knowing
him, and to future generations of Emergency Medical Technicians at BRAVO
Volunteer Ambulance Service; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the dedication and renaming of the BRAVO Volunteer Ambulance
Service Classroom to the Walter J. Nelson, Jr. Classroom, and honoring
the memory of this beloved man; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Walter J. Nelson, Jr.