Gary Donald Nilson

Gary "Tiny" Nilson (1957-2024) The wood and road will be a quieter place without Tiny roaring. The pool players will finally have a chance to win. Tiny Nilson, 66, of Hornell, New York, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 18, 2024 while taking a break from cleaning his Road King.
Tiny was born in Hornell on October 31, 1957 to Donald and Norma (Drum) Nilson. Tiny loved helping take care of his parents' health, land, and animals. He also made a habit of disappointing his mother Norma and hunting with his father Donald, a veteran of the Pacific War. Tiny sold his horse to buy a motorcycle, and never looked back, except when he needed Dick Andrews help to get his bike out of a tree. Tiny wasn't an academic but he had a woodsman's wisdom, he attended Hornell High School and BOCES (Class of 1975). Although Tiny had many occupations over his lifetime, most was spent with Alstom, where he wasn't afraid to tell people how it was, many middle managers quivered in his wake.
Tiny and Laurie Nilson were married on April 13, 1991, not long after their first son was born. Tiny loved his family and would do whatever it took to participate in their lives. Tiny was an assistant coach for both Little League Baseball and youth football. He was able to pass his love for motorcycles and a respect for the outdoors to his family, as well as his love for the Buffalo Bills and New York Yankees.
A brother of the Backstreet, Tiny loved bucks, bikes, blues, & buds. Cooking barbecue was one of his more famous skills. No man could split logs like Tiny, he could keep up with a machine. He knocked down more trees than he could name.
Tiny was a member of the Association where he schooled people on the pool table. Loving motorcycles like family, he was also a member of the Harley Owners Group. Thanks to Donald Nilson's service in World War II, Tiny was also a member of AM Vets.
Tiny will always be remembered for his friendly demeanor and love for music. Once his mind was set on something, it was impossible to deter him from his goal. Tiny had many catchphrases, none of which can be repeated here. He was a good-hearted, hardworking man, who loved his family. His memory will live on in the hearts of his family and friends. Old Man, your absence will be felt for years to come, not all wanderers are lost.
Tiny was preceded in death by his parents Donald and Norma and is survived by his wife Laurie (Lecceardone) Nilson, sons Tyler and Trevor. Andrea (Britt) and grandson Jericho as well as many friends and extended family.
A celebration of Tiny' life will be held at AM Vets Hornell, NY on November 9, 2024 at 1:00 PM. Memorial donations to the Hornell Fire Department or AM Vets would be greatly appreciated.
Funeral arrangements are with the Bender-Brown & Powers Funeral Home in Hornell.
To send a remembrance please visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com or on Facebook @ Brown Powers FH.