Camden People - Nelson Randolph

NELSON W. "NELLIE" RANDOLPH was born on February 6, 1938 to Nelson and Alice Randolph in Camden, NJ. He was the seventh child, coming after sisters Dorothy, Florence, Grace, Betty, Joan, and Marion Randolph. The family was living at 3400 Federal Street in East Camden when the census was taken in 1940. The elder Randolph, plumber, was self-employed. The 1947 City Directory shows the family at 104 North 23rd Street. By 1956 they had moved to 2942 Cramer Street where they stayed into the 1970s.

Nelson Randolph attended Camden Public schools. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1957. He was appointed to the Camden Police Department in 1964, and served the City with honor and distinction for 25 years. He retired on February 1, 1989 at the rank of Sergeant / Range Master. After leaving the police department, Nellie, also known as Sgt. Bear, worked at Cartun Hardware Store on Federal Street.

Nelson Randolph was a member of U.S.S. New Jersey Lodge #62 Free & Accepted Masons, the Rolling Badges Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Camden Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 1, Police Benevolent Association Lodge 35, Vice President of the South Jersey Suburban Police, and the President of the Rosedale Rod and Gun Club. In 2014 he became involved with 4heroescharity.org, an organization founded by a fellow retired Camden Police Department officer who had been a member of the K-9 unit. This organization supports and provides for Police, Fire, Military and First

Responders. The 2015 mission was to fund the purchase of K-9 dogs that are trained to support our military personnel suffering with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Nelson Randolph was married to the former Joyce Ann Ward, who passed away in February of 2008, and stepfather to her three children from a previous marriage. They made their home in Collingswood.

Nelson W. Randolph passed away on September 4, 2015 at his home in Collingswood, survived by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and innumerable friends in and out of law enforcement.

Speaking for myself, to know Nellie was to love him.

Phil Cohen
December 28, 2015

1977 amden Police Department Second Platoon Softball Team
Cam/Glo County Police & Fire League
Photo Courtesy of Billy Berks and Larry Worell
Click on the image for to enlarge

Front row L-R: Thomas DiPatri, John Cox , Bill Berman, Billy Berks, B. Ferrell, John Sabella
Middle Row L-R: Nelson Randolph, Shay Vandeventer, D. DiDomenico, F. Martelli, Rich Chandler, Don Reese, Frank Simons:
Rear Row: Leroy Palmer, Smokey Collins, Len Covaleski, Mike Schlictig.

"6 of our guys out of the 7 in middle row are no longer with us. (Only Rich Chandler left)" - Billy Berks January 2017

Camden Courier-Post * September 6, 2015

Nelson W. "Nellie" Randolph

AGE: 77 • Collingswood

Nelson W. "Nellie" Randolph AKA SGT. Bear, of Collingswood, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, September 04, 2015 in the presence of his loving family. Nellie was born on February 6, 1938 to the late Nelson and Alice Randolph in Camden, NJ. A graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in 1957, Nellie then served as a police officer for the Camden City Police Department, until retiring in 1989 at the rank of Sergeant / Range Master. Nellie was a member of Masonic Lodge USS NJ #62 F. & A.M., the Rolling Badges Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Camden F.O.P. Lodge 1, P.B.A. Lodge 35, Vice President of the South Jersey Suburban Police, and the President of the Rosedale Rod and Gun Club.

Most of all, he was a kind, compassionate, loving and caring person who will be deeply missed.

Nelson was predeceased by his beloved wife, Joyce A. Randolph (nee Ward).

Nellie was the proud and loving "Pop" of Jill Noller (Bill) of Haddon Twp., Kristine Martinelli (Richard, Sr.) of Cape Coral, FL., and Phillip Maycott (Charlene) of Williamstown; he is also survived by his loving sister, Grace Heide; his grandchildren, Bill Jr. , Angela, Christopher, Richard Jr., Monica, Melissa, Phillip Jr., Jessica and Erika, several great grandchildren, and many loving nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his visitation on Tuesday, September 8, 2015 from 5pm-8pm at Inglesby & Sons Funeral Home, located at 2426 Cove Rd., Pennsauken, NJ 08109. A funeral ceremony will be celebrated at 8pm at the funeral home. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to 4heroescharity (4heroescharity.org) PO Box 173 Mantua, NJ 08051. To post photos, share a memory, or send an online condolence, please visit www.inglesbyfuneralhome.com.