John Alldor Nord

After graduation from Yale, John returned to the family furniture business, Union-National, Inc., which manufactured high quality case goods furniture. There he served as sales manager, representing the third generation of the Nord family until his father died in 1973, then becoming President. He remained President until the company was sold in 1992.

John was a lifelong resident of Jamestown. He met his wife-to-be, Carol Fosberg, during a street dance at Baker Park while they were in their high-school years. Their love was tied when they eloped to Yuma, Arizona before he left for Korea. They went on to have four children, Daniel (Elizabeth) Nord, Heidi (Gary) Bletsch, Elizabeth (Phil) Strand, and Andrew L. Nord; nine grandchildren, Mia Bletsch, Jacob Nord, Elsa (Justin) Miller, Chloe Kurashige, Sasha Kurashige, Alexandra Nord, Henry Bletsch, Andrea Nord, and Andrew A. Nord; as well as four great-grandchildren.

John ‘Jack’ had deeply rooted ties in Chautauqua County. He spent his younger recreational years surrounded by many aunts, uncles and close friends where there was always love and laughter in his life. His love and devotion for The First Presbyterian Church began one Sunday, when as an 11-year-old, he followed his sister to an early morning service. He has since been recognized as the church’s longest standing member. John was also an active member of the Norden Men’s Club, the Vikings, as well as the Sportsmen’s Club where he was recently honored as a 50-year member.

John was passionate about electronics. He enjoyed many hours building or repairing electronics and was often known to design and install extensive sound and computer systems for neighbors and friends. His love for electronics also led him into Ham Radio as an active Amateur Radio operator. As an accredited Volunteer Examiner Coordinator for the American Radio Relay League, he mentored countless aspiring radio operators through the process of acquiring their license. He built many of his own radios, in addition to other electronics, oftentimes using the well-known Heathkit products. John once built a full-scale dual keyboard organ for his family, and what may have been the first microwave oven in Jamestown. The list goes on.

John grew up in a family that firmly believed it was important to give back to his community. He served on the Board of Directors for Jamestown’s Local Development Committee, the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities, the American Friends of Emigrant Institute of Sweden, Inc., the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, the National Association of Furniture Manufacturers, the Manufacturers Association for the Jamestown Area and Chautauqua County Amateur FM Association. He also served as a trustee for The James Prendergast Library, the Chautauqua Institution, the Citizens’ Public Expenditure Survey and the Lake View Cemetery Association. He was also a member of the Advisory Board of Norstar Bank and Chairman of the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County.

John was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Carol Fosberg Nord, his parents Alldor Melvin and Edith Eckvahl Nord, his sisters Mary Carol Nord Haggerty and Nancy Ann Nord.

When John was asked what brought him the most joy in his life, he always said it was his wife and children. He will be greatly missed by all of us. He spent a life well lived.

Family and friends are invited to attend a service honoring John’s life at The First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, 11 am. A light lunch will follow in the church’s Fellowship Hall.

The memorial service will be livestreamed by the church and will be accessible at www.firstpresjamestown.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown, The James Prendergast Library, or the Chautauqua County Amateur FM Association.

To leave words of condolence, please visit lindfuneralhome.com.