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SANBORNTON - Louis R. "Dusty" Nielsen, 77, formerly of Sanbornton, died Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009, at Concord Hospital.

He was born Aug. 11, 1932, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of Fred and Carla (Sorensen) Nielsen. Dusty was raised in Brooklyn where he lived until entering the U.S. Marine Corps at age 17. While serving in the Marine Corps in Japan in 1953, he met his wife, Mutsumi (Yagawa) Nielsen.

He and his family moved to Sanbornton in 1970, following his military service. They resided there for many years and wintered and later resided in Spring Hill, Fla.

While serving as a corporal in the Marines during the Korean War, Dusty was the recipient of two Purple Hearts. After serving several years in the Marines, he joined the U.S. Air Force, serving as a technical sergeant during the Vietnam War until he retired in 1970.

He began his career in law enforcement as a police officer in the Waterville Valley Police Department. In January 1971, Dusty was appointed chief of police for the Sanbornton Police Department. While serving as chief, he was instrumental in establishing and advancing the department in many areas of service and professionalism. He retired as chief in 1980.

Following retirement, he became a licensed captain and sailed many yachts for delivery to the Caribbean. He was a talented woodworker and also was a self-employed contractor in the area.

He was a life member of the New Hampshire Chiefs of Police Association, New Hampshire Police Officers Association and former member of the International Chiefs of Police. While in Sanbornton, he served on the budget committee.

He was a member of the Doric Lodge No. 78 of Masons in Tilton. Dusty also belonged and vice president of Calusa Wood Carvers Club in Florida and the Winnipesaukee Yacht Club.

Dusty's wife, Mutsumi, died Jan. 26, 2004.

He was predeceased by a brother, Niels F. Nielsen, and two sisters, Judy Gering and Arlene Nilsen.

Family members include his children, Sharon Gallo and her husband, Bruce, of Sparta, N.J., Jensine Hilliard and her husband, Scott, of Northfield, Christine Marceau and her husband, Mark, of Meredith, Glenn Nielsen and his wife, Lyssa, of Gilmanton and Cecilia O'Neil and her husband, Thomas, of Windham; numerous grandchildren; a sister, Marie Johnson of N.Y.; and nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held tomorrow from 6 to 9 p.m. at Thibault-Neun Funeral Home, 143 Franklin St., Franklin.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home.

Interment will be held at a later date at the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Hundred Club of NH (to assist families of police and firefighters who died in the line of duty), P.O. Box 23, Manchester, 03105-0023 (100clubnh.org).

For directions and an online guest book, log on to neunfuneralhomes.com.