Nils J Dahl Obituary (1929

Nils J. Dahl, of Dataw Island, South Carolina, age 84, died peacefully March 11, 2014 with his family by his side after a brief period of declining health. Born and raised in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, he graduated from Brooklyn Prep ('47) and Georgetown University ('51) and then honorably served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corp. He began his career as a salesman with Celanese Corporation before joining Crystal Thermoplastics in Cumberland, Rhode Island where he was president and co-owner. He was known in his industry for his wit, good humor and fair dealings. A banker once commented to his son, "your dad is a pain to deal with, but he's also one of our favorite clients." Nils loved sports and was an avid tennis, paddle tennis and golfer in Barrington, R.I., where he made a hole-in-one on each of the par three's at RICC. After 37 years in Rhode Island he made golf his passion while living in the South Carolina Low Country for another 18 years. While they gave it their best efforts, none of his children were ever able to beat Nils at tennis or golf. Nils was a devoted husband of 59 wonderful years to Joan Flaherty Dahl and loving father to five children: Gregory Dahl (Halina) of Wilbraham, MA; Patricia Dahl of New York, NY; John Dahl (Kimberly) of Spring, TX; Norena Howard (Terrence) of Fairfield, CT and Nils Dahl (Christine) of Southport, CT; nine grandchildren: Stacie Routt (Travis), JoDe Hollis (Cory), Nils Dahl, Nathan Dahl, Catherine Howard, Joseph Dahl, Matthew Howard, Gabrielle Howard and Carolyn "Andie" Dahl. Family was everything to Nils; he was also the doting younger brother to his beloved sisters, Kathyleen "Kay" O'Leary and Norena "Cissie" Dahl who preceded him and Norma "Nonie" Melvin of Southbury, CT who survives him as well as his thirteen nephews and nieces. He will be remembered by all for his boisterous laugh and his witty storytelling. A memorial mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 14, 2014 at St. Peter's Catholic Church on Lady's Island. The family suggests memorials take the form of donations to Beaufort Memorial Hospital or The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration (eyedonation.org).