TOGUS - Michael Charles Nelson, 55, of Portland died Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, at the Veterans' Affairs Hospice Unit at Togus. He was born in Portland on Jan. 4, 1954, the son of Norman and Arlene (Fernald, Labbe) Nelson. He was a 1972 graduate of Portland High School. Upon graduation, he joined the Navy and was a ship's serviceman attached to a Marine helicopter squadron during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged in 1975. Mike lived, traveled and worked as a long distance truck driver for various companies in the South and Midwest, but Maine was always his home, where he had a special love of the coast. He will always be remembered for his friendliness and his ability to put a smile on everyone's face. He was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Alfred 'Freddie' Labbe. Survivors include his sisters, Joan (Labbe) McDonough, of Portland, and Carol (Nelson) Schiffman, of Sebastien, Fla.; his brothers, Gary Labbe, of Brunswick, Brian Nelson, of South Portland, and Craig Nelson, of Auburn; a special caregiver, Debbie Roberge; his friends and fellow veterans, Donald Holmes and Robert Keiran, all of Waterville; and several nieces and nephews. A graveside service with full military honors will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at the new Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a donation in Michael's memory to Veterans' Affairs Togus Hospice Unit, Togus VAMC, 1 VA Center, Augusta, ME 04330. His family extends a heartfelt thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at Togus Community Living Center 72 for their wonderful care of Mike during his illness, with a special thank-you to the staff of the hospice unit. Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta.