Nelson Alvoy Sober

Nelson Alvoy Sober, 87, formerly of New Cumberland and Mechanicsburg, passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Sunday, February 5, 2017, while a resident at Claremont Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Carlisle.

Nelson was born May 27, 1929 in Harrisburg Hospital and spent his childhood on Herman Avenue in Lemoyne, PA. His parents were Archie Sober and Eunice (Hobson) Sober. Nelson was predeceased in 2003 by his loving wife Joan (Hommer) Sober whom he had met while singing with the Harrisburg Symphony Choir. He was also predeceased by his brother Wilford Sober and sisters Kathleen McDonel and Dorothy Roller. Nelson’s survivors include his three children: Curtis L. Sober and wife Gail of Mechanicsburg, Jennifer L. Setlak and husband Frank of Dillsburg, Kenneth N. Sober and wife Shauna of Dillsburg and 3 granddaughters, Kendra, Lauren and Morgan Sober, and numerous granddogs.

Nelson was a proud graduate of Lemoyne High School (Class of 1947) where he participated in football, chorus and was in the musical “The Pirates of Penzance”.

Following graduation, Nelson proudly served his country as a Sergeant in the US Army during the Korean War seeing fifty-five days of brutal front line action. Once returning home he worked as a carpenter building homes, first in Miami, Florida and then in the Harrisburg area. He also worked for Sandnes and Sons, Inc , Charles Adler Realty, HB Alexander and Beigh Construction. His favorite construction project was working at the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building for 18 months during the construction of the fountain and addition to the rear of the Capitol Complex. Wanting to provide extra income for the family, Nelson began selling Christmas trees on an empty lot in New Cumberland. He quickly became known as “The Man in the Red Suit”. Selling Christmas trees became a yearly business and all the Sober kids joined in as they became of age. Not only did it bring the family closer together, but it also taught the children the value of hard work and how to work with people. In 1978, Nelson and Joan purchased a farm in Ickesburg, Perry County and became Christmas tree growers. After 56 years of selling Christmas trees and spreading Christmas cheer, Nelson’s sons have taken over the business which continues at the same location on Bridge Street in New Cumberland.

Nelson was a member of St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association, National Christmas Tree Growers Association and Carpenters Union Local 287.

The Sober Family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the nursing staff of the Claremont Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, especially the staff of “C Wing” for the care and support provided to he and his family for 3 ½ years.

Viewing will be held from 6-8 pm on Thursday evening at Parthemore Funeral Home & Cremation Services, New Cumberland. Graveside services with Military Honors will be held at 2 pm on Friday at Slate Hill Cemetery, Lower Allen Township.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions in Nelson’s memory to Claremont Nursing Activities Fund, 1000 Claremont Road, Carlisle, PA 17013.