Nils D. Sellman

January 2, 1926 - May 25, 2021

Nils David Sellman passed away on May 25, 2021, age 95, at McLean in Simsbury, CT. He was born on January 2, 1926, in Bronx, NY the son of Nils Thure Sellman and May Duke Sellman. Nils grew up in Scarsdale, NY. He graduated from Scarsdale High School a member of the Class of 1943 and went on to earn a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ, graduating in 1947. He enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17 in 1943 and trained in the V-12 Unit at Stevens. He later served on the U.S.S. Denver and was honorably discharged as an Ensign in July 1946. He married Virginia Roberts Pratt of Teaneck, NJ on October 28, 1950. After graduating from Stevens, Nils joined the Servel Corporation in sales and marketing for their natural gas-based air conditioning product line. He lived in Evansville, Indiana. He was part of developing a market for Servel products in Iran. In 1953 he moved to Atlanta, Georgia as Southern Regional Manager and in 1954 moved to New York as Eastern Regional Manager. He later joined York Air Conditioning as the Branch Manager of their location in Long Island City, NY. He and his family lived in White Plains, NY and moved to Irvington, NY in 1956. In 1968 he left York and joined the Gash-Stull Company in Chester, PA as Vice-President and head of their air conditioning division. He and his family lived in Media, PA. In 1977 he became the Marketing Manager for the Stanley Magic Door Division in Farmington, CT. Nils left Stanley in 1984 and purchased technology for an automated door operator leading to founding of the Power Access Corporation as owner and CEO. The business was located in the Collins Axe Factory building and later in New Hartford, CT. Nils and his son Bryan worked together for 28 years at Power Access until he sold the business and fully retired in 2010. Nils and Virginia lived in Simsbury, CT. Nils enjoyed boating, tennis, golfing at the Ardsley Country Club (NY) and the York Country Club (ME), and was a dedicated Hartford Whalers Hockey fan for many years. Vacations in York, Maine were important family events for decades. During the time that his family lived in Irvington, NY Nils was an active member of the Irvington Presbyterian Church. He served as a Deacon and an Elder. Nils was the leader of the United Way Annual Drive in Irvington in 1965. Nils earned the rank of Eagle Boy Scout in Troup 4 in Scarsdale, NY. Later he was Scoutmaster of Troup 55 in Irvington, NY. During his years in Connecticut, Nils was President of the Canton Chamber of Commerce and instrumental in founding the Sam Collins Day celebration in Collinsville/Canton, CT. Nils was predeceased by his beloved wife Virginia in 2010 and his son-in-law James J. Scott in 2015. He was also predeceased by his sister and best friend Mary McIntosh and her husband, James. Nils is survived by his three children: Nancy S. Scott of New Britain; Nils David Sellman, Jr. and his wife, Ann of LaGrange, GA; Bryan C. Sellman of New Hartford, CT; grandchildren Megan Scott of Los Angeles, CA; Taryn S. Pike and her husband Jeff, of Rye, NY; Dr. David P. Sellman and his wife Rachel of James Island, SC; Dr. Kathryn G. Sellman of Richmond, VA; and great grandson James T. Pike of Rye, NY. Surviving nieces and nephews: Sue Banville of Hartford; Jim McIntosh and his wife Wendy of Lincoln, VT; John McIntosh of Stowe, VT; Jane Diorio and her husband Greg of Redding, CT; Marenda Ham of Grants Pass, OR; Curtis Ham and wife Janet of Portland, ME; Susy Heldman and her husband Peter of Denver, CO; Carol Komlos and husband Bill of Salt Lake City, UT; Barbi Campbell of Colchester, VT; Linda L. Wise and husband Spence of Merritt Island FL; Glenn Laack and wife Kyung Hee of Xenia, OH; Joanne Pennington and husband David of Memphis, TN. The children of Nils would like to thank the caring staff at McLean Robinson Assisted Living, the Hospice Care staff, and the Evergreen Nursing Staff and Aides who cared for our father during his final days. Much gratitude goes to Linda Driscoll for her long service and friendship to Nils and Virginia. Carlson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Burial will be at a later date in York, Maine at First Parish Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Parish Church of York (http://www.firstparishyork.net/). Please share a memory or note of sympathy with Nil’s family at www.carlsonfuneralhome.com