Gray Nelson

Graydon Brian Nelson QSO (8 May 1927 – 29 November 2022) was a New Zealand public servant and diplomat.

Gray Nelson QSO
Born	Graydon Brian Nelson (1927-05-08)8 May 1927
Died	29 November 2022(2022-11-29) (aged 95)
Occupations	Public servant diplomat
Spouse	Mary Butler O’Connell ​ ​ (m. 1956; died 2005)​
Children	3

Early life and family

Nelson spent his childhood in Taranaki, then the Auckland suburb of Epsom, and was educated at St Peter's College where he was a foundation pupil in 1939.^[1][2]

In 1956, Nelson married Mary Butler O’Connell, and the couple had three children.^[2]

Career

Nelson began working in the Department of Lands and Survey in 1952 and later at Parliament,^[3] and was private secretary to five New Zealand prime ministers: Keith Holyoake,^[4] Jack Marshall, Norman Kirk,^[3] Bill Rowling, and Robert Muldoon.^[2][5] He also held the diplomatic position of counsellor at the New Zealand High Commission to the United Kingdom between 1978 and 1981.^[5] He was senior representative and life member of the Government Superannuitants Association and also a life member of Bellamy's.^[2]

In retirement, Nelson lived in Greytown. He died on 29 November 2022, aged 95, having been predeceased by his wife in 2005.^[2][6]

Honours

In 1977, Nelson was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal.^[7] In the 1987 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for public services.^[8]