Marvin Scott Nielsen

Marvin “Scott” Nielsen, 79, passed away peacefully at the Capital Health Medical Center in Hopewell, N.J., on March 20, 2022. In the days up to his death, he was surrounded by his wife Jan, family, and friends. Scott was loved by everyone who met him.

Born on Jan. 15, 1943 in St. Paul, Minn., and was the son of Harold Ralph Nielsen and Louise Virginia Scott Nielsen. He moved from Minnesota to New York in the 1960s and eventually to New Jersey, where he raised his children, Hannah Kaija Lyons Nielsen and Scott Mather Nielsen, with their mother, Judith Robinson. In addition to his children and wife Jan DeMott Nielsen, Scott is survived by three beautiful grandchildren Russell Nielsen, Rosalie Sarai Nielsen and Scott Nielsen Vance; his sister Rosalind Bonsett of Evanston, Ill., and his brother Steven Nielsen of Wannamingo, Minn.; brothers-in-law William DeMott of Stuart, Fla., and Richard DeMott of Whiting, N.J.; and many nieces, nephews as well as grand nieces and nephews.

Scott had a passion for flying, music and filmmaking. One of his early jobs in the 1950s was flying a small plane in the Midwest to deliver airplane parts to small airports. After moving to New York, he learned the art of filmmaking when 16mm film was the medium of choice. By the late 1960s, he had formed The Production Staff in Princeton and taught filmmaking to students at Princeton University. He co-founded Telequest in 1978 and remained active at the video production company until his recent retirement, deploying his unique talents for creating stories as a video editor. Notable film and video projects included musical shorts for Captain Kangaroo for which Scott also wrote the music and lyrics; documentaries for NJ public television (one of which earned a Columbia Journalism Award); and many programs for nonprofits in New Jersey and throughout the U.S. For Scott, the nearest and dearest projects were ones that promoted peacemaking, social justice, and the welfare of children.

Scott was a writer and performer of songs in the country and folk genres. He published two albums of his music: “Tunes 4 Sale” and “Lost and Found” (both available at Bandcamp.com). Soon after moving to Bordentown, N.J., in 2008, Scott formed a band, the Pickin’ Parlor, with fellow local musicians. It’s an informal and supportive group that continues to play every Wednesday night at the Yapewi boathouse.

Scott captured the attention and affection of those he interviewed and filmed. In Bordentown, he joined a volunteer community group called Building Bridges, where he helped tell the stories of the former segregated School No. 2 and other neglected parts of the city’s history. Scott treasured his Friday morning brunches with the Iron Skillet group, where he earned the nickname “Curly”. Scott also served on the board of the Winds of Peace Foundation (peacewinds.org). He was an active flight member of Four Delta Yankee Inc, an aircraft club based at the Trenton Mercer County Airport, and earned his seaplane certification in 2017. Scott loved traveling, with Paris a favorite destination.

A tribute to Scott will be held May 22, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Yapewi Aquatic Club at 107 W. Park St., Bordentown, N.J. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to help someone in need.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/paramus-cr for the Nielsen family.