By Deborah Larsen
Nelson Joseph Hanlon
Nelson Joseph Hanlon was born in Corunna, Michigan, on June 13, 1920, the son of James and Lillie Mae Patterson Hanlon. The Hanlon family moved to Rochester when Nelson was a small child and lived on Oak Street. He attended school in Rochester.
Nelson enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces in October 1941; eventually, four of his brothers would also serve in uniform during the war. He was trained as a photo gunner and was assigned to an 8th Air Force unit stationed in the European Theater. He completed 28 successful missions and was awarded an Air Medal. Nelson was discharged from military service in October 1945.
After the war, Nelson married, started a family, and had a 34-year career in plant security with General Motors.
Nelson Joseph Hanlon died at age 82 on April 10, 2003, and was laid to rest in Mount Avon Cemetery.