Mr. Gilbert “Nelson” Heine, 84, of Nandua Bay, Painter, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, April 14, 2025. Born March 11, 1941, in Greenbelt, Md., he was the only child of the late Gilbert C. Heine and the late Helen Rhoads Heine.
God led Nelson to what only the lucky few have experienced when he fell in love with his high school sweetheart, Mary Irwin. Both musically gifted, they received scholarships to attend the Peabody Conservatory, where their courtship and shared passions led to a life filled with decades of beautiful memories, the occasional French cuisine, endless chicken, lobster, and shrimp stock, and two amazing daughters.
A talented trumpet and bass player, Nelson felt compelled to share his love for music following college. While he loved teaching and was even recognized as Teacher of the Year, life led him to pursue a different path. For several decades Nelson represented several life insurance companies throughout the Baltimore area, primarily American United Life, as a chartered financial consultant and certified life underwriter.
After meeting a colleague from the Eastern Shore of Virginia, Nelson and Mary visited and instantly fell in love with the area, and in 2003 the Heines began calling the Shore home. Life on the Chesapeake Bay made way for more boating, fishing, hunting with the Dahls Swamp Hunt Club, and time perfecting his la cuisine skills.
As a devoted member of Onancock Baptist Church, Nelson served as a deacon, was the charming, fearless leader of the welcoming committee, and changed the lives of many by teaching Dave Ramsey’s “Financial Peace” to members of the congregation, helping them put their financial lives in order.
While his earthly presence will undoubtedly be missed, have no doubt Nelson Heine is making music on the streets of gold and smiling down until we meet again.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years, Mary Heine; daughters, Julie Harrower and her husband, John, of Nandua Bay, and Heather Michaelson and her husband, Eric, of Pikesville, Md.; and grandchildren, Ethan, Jayden, Stephanie, Mark, and Michael Harrower and their families, and Liora and Asher Michaelson.
A funeral service will be held at Onancock Baptist Church on Saturday, April 26, at 2 p.m., with Pastor Andy Cobb officiating. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service. Private interment will be held at the Fairview Lawn Cemetery.
Donations in Nelson’s memory may be made to Onancock Baptist Church, 1 Crockett Ave., Onancock, VA 23417.
Memory tributes may be shared with the family at
www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements are by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.
