On RSR's message boards, I received a PM from Jack on July 18th:

"...I met the daughters on the Katrin Ride the CIty of New Orleans tour..I opened the shows alll along the way so i was like livin in a dream for a couple of weeks..One cool backstage vison was of both dad's standing behind each of their daughters while they harmonized and played taht song with them..."



Today I logged in to see if he'd posted anything since, and he hadn't. But I did go to his website only to discover he'd died a few days later.

Jack Neilson

Jack Herman Neilson, Jr., died on Friday, July 21, 2006. Age 50 years. Devoted father of Sarah Marie Neilson. Beloved son of Elizabeth DeWeese Neilson and the late Jack H. Neilson, Sr. Preceeded in death by his sister Susan N. Plauche. Survived by his sisters Beth Neilson, Martha Neilson, Anne Neilson, Margaret N. Arbour and her husband Edgar F. Arbour III. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Born and raised in New Orleans, Jack was a graduate of St. Paul’s School in Covington and the College of Santa Fe.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral services at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home Chapel, 5100 Ponchartrain Blvd. (In Metarie Cemetery) on Thursday, July 27, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. Visitation Thursday from 12 Noon until 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow in Metairie Cemetery.

Jack was a talented musician / singer / songwriter attending Berklee College of Music before graduating from the College of Sante Fe, the Boston folk seen having impacted him greatly. He performed in New Orleans and all around the country. Jack considered himself honored to represent New Orleans on the recent Arlo Guthrie & Friends of the City of New Orleans benefit tour. He was excited to spend time with the many musicians and writers on this tour and said it was an experience of a lifetime.

The grace of his huge, loving heart poured itself in the grace of his music. This same grace was manifested in every facet of his short life: his love of laughter; his doting devotion to Sarah – the love of his life; his love and protectiveness of his precious mother Lib who has leaned on him and shared too much ice cream with him since Katrina brought through not only the destruction of New Orleans as we all knew it but the untimely death of Susan, Jack’s sister and Lib’s brave daughter. Jack has remained at Lib’s side all these months, ready and more than willing to comfort her, make her laugh – he’s been a source of laughter and comfort to not only his mother but his 4 remaining older sisters and his many, many generous friends who were so dearly loved and appreciated by Jack. He was always grateful for his blessings. We so love you my dearest “baby Jack.”

We are lost without you and hope to find a shred of your grace to carry us through. We have been robbed once again of a loving soul. There is now a humongous angel in heaven whose large wings are bumping into the other angels but they don’t mind because he makes them laugh and he sings to them. The angels who are not busy singing are out looking for his keys.

Reprinted from the Times Picayune ~ July 26, 2006

Nice newsbyte Terrie. It shows one how sheltered they can be, living in a small town in upstate NY...... Jack.... Yes, he touched us all, altho I admitt, I had never followed Jacks family. But musical talent, they say isn't in the genes... but I beg to argue that fact....

Abraham.... HMMM


RIP Jack Neilson......

P.S. Terrie, 50's allot of yrs. if you live it right. There have been days, if I died tommorro, it was all worth it... It just doensn't happen to be one of those days, lately..... Lets say I haven't said my good-byes yet.....

And If I go, remember me. I'm no Jack Neilson, or even a popular musician, ( well it depends how drunk my audience is )

But in all scensarity, Jack, you touched allot of lives. God-Bless

RB

I'd never heard of him other than hearing he was on the CONO tour. So sorry to hear about him. May God be with his family at this time. 50 is too young...