Nelson "Nellie" Holden, 87, of Ashland died Wednesday, July 31, 2007. He was the husband of Martha (Snyer) Holden, who died June 10, for 65 years. Born in Framingham, son of the late Perry Oliver and Adele Holden, he lived in Ashland all his life. He graduated from Ashland High School in 1937 and was valedictorian of his class. He was a master automotive mechanic and owned and operated several general construction businesses, including Middlesex Equipment Company. He was a licensed pilot and avid ice boating enthusiast. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army. He leaves his daughters, Kathryn Jackman of Billerica, Jacquelyn Burchstead and her husband, Chris, of Ashland, Claudia Lefter and her husband, Jim, of West Yarmouth and Sylvia Chalmers and her husband, John, of Woburn; his grandchildren, Peter Kadra, Melissa and Jason Lefter, Kristine and Lisa Jackman and Christopher Chalmers; and great-grandchildren, Madison and Hunter Kadra; and his brother, Richard Holden of Avon, Conn. He was the brother of the late Phillips Holden. There will be a memorial service for Nelson and Martha Holden at Matarese Funeral Home Wednesday, Aug. 8, at 11 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to the MetroWest Humane Society, P.O. Box 1068, Framingham, MA 01701. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Matarese Funeral Home in Ashland.