Swampscott, Massachusetts——It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Nelson Jarvie Darling, Jr., 103, of Swampscott Mass., who died on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at his home.

Nelson was born in Erie, PA., on December 27, 1920, to Nelson Jarvie Darling, Sr. and Jeannette Craig Devine. At a young age in 1922, his family moved to Swampscott, Mass., where his father worked as the Manager of General Electric's West Lynn and Riverworks facilities. Nelson met the LaCroix family who lived in Swampscott. He later married his sweetheart, Ruth Ward LaCroix, on June 11, 1948. with whom he shared 64 years of marriage.

He was predeceased by his wife Ruth d. 2013, his son Morris Felton d. 1991, his daughter Sarah Darling Pruett d. 2021, and his grandson, Samuel Nelson Darling d. 1984. He was predeceased by his sister Phyllis Darling White d. 2019.

He is survived by his son, William Darling and his wife, Betty Breuhaus, his daughter, Esther and her husband, Michael Mulroy, his son-in-law, Robert Pruett, his son Morris Darling's widow, Kathy Walker, his son, Thomas Darling, his daughter-in-law, Jillian Darling, and his daughter, Jeannette and her husband, Peter McGinn.

He is survived by his grandchildren; children of William Darling: Rebecca and her husband, R. Manuel Hauswirth, Benjamin Darling, PhD., Julia and her husband, Steven Goldman, Charles Darling and his wife, Margo, and Betty's daughter, Katherine and her husband, Matthew Norton. Esther Mulroy's children: Conor Mulroy, PhD., Thomas Calder-Mulroy, M.D., and his husband, Patrick, and Robert Mulroy, PhD., and his wife, Andja. Sarah Pruett's children: Walker Pruett and his wife, Madeline, Amy and her husband, Adam Hirt, Nicholas Pruett and his wife, Maribeth, and Jena Pruett engaged to David Leonard. Thomas Darling's child: Lia Darling. Jeannette McGinn's children: Anna McGinn and her husband, William Kochtitzky, PhD., Morris McGinn, Daniel McGinn, and Lydia McGinn. He is survived by 16 great grandchildren.

Nelson served in the Navy in WWII from 1942 to 1946. He received a commission as an Ensign after completing Officer Candidate School at Northwestern University. In December 1942, he was assigned to Submarine Chaser 1029. After service at the Sub Chaser Training Center in Miami, Fla., he took part in the landings in Sicily and Italy and the underwater demolition teams in Southern France preparing for landing in August 1944. He served in the Pacific in 1945 on the aircraft carrier USS Vella Gulf until VJ Day. Nelson retired from the Navy in 1946 with rank of Lieutenant. Nelson was proud of his service in the Navy. He recently wrote, "He preferred to remain a veteran who is uncomfortable with the current world's inability to settle differences by peaceful negotiations" [2024]. He also wrote, "The peace memorial at Hiroshima provides the world with a tragic look at the past and inspiration for the future" [1987].

Nelson graduated from Harvard University in 1942, and, after the war, Harvard Law School in 1948. He appreciated his education at Harvard and Harvard Law School as well as friendships developed during these years. He was aware these studies had a great deal to do with making the next 55 years of his life happy and rewarding.

In 1950, after his time practicing law at Ropes and Gray, he joined the investment banking firm of Paine, Webber, Jackson, and Curtis, which was a member firm of the New York Stock Exchange. He retired after 29 years from Paine Webber, Inc., and continued in trustee and financial advisory activities with family-owned Agawam Trust and Management, LLC, and Woodstock Corporation. He found business pleasurable and enjoyed his work.

He served on the Board of Trustees of Wellesley College from 1962 to 1980, and for a time served as its President. He lived his life aware of and asking questions about keeping up with change. Being involved in educational institutions gave him the opportunity to engage across generations to explore the critical questions of our time.

He loved classical music and served five three-year terms on the Boston Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees as a Board Member, President, and eventually Chairman. He retired to Life Trustee status.

He was an avid tennis player, hiker, sailor, angler, and vegetable gardener. He was a skier and helped to form the Drifters Ski Club in the White Mountains.

He enjoyed traveling to destinations worldwide. He watched his son, Thomas Darling, row in three Olympics around the world, and he enjoyed travel with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Harvard University, and Wellesley College. He wrote, 'There seems a lot to do and too little time to do it" [1987].

Most of all, he appreciated being at home and walking Preston Beach in Swampscott. He was a thoughtful, remarkable, intelligent, and successful man. He had a rich and rewarding life.

ARRANGEMENTS: Friends and family are kindly invited to attend Nelson's memorial service to take place on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 10am, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lynn, 101 Forest Avenue, Swampscott. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Attn: Development Office, 301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, www.bso.org/support/ways-to-give or McLean Hospital, Development Office, 115 Mill Street/Mail Stop 126, Belmont, MA 02478, https://giving.mclean.org/  in memory of Nelson J. Darling, Jr.  Arrangements are by the Murphy Funeral Home, Salem, MA, 978-744-0497. Directions and guest book at www.MurphyFuneralHome.com .

We are so glad that those who cannot be here in person for Nelson J. Darling Jr.'s funeral can be with us virtually.   Join us on the UUCGL Facebook for a Livestream of Nelson's Memorial Service at 10am. www.facebook.com/UUCGL

There will also be a recording available at a later date for anyone to view at their convenience.