November 8, 2011 Service: November 19, 2011 Brian A. Nielson, age 72, passed away November 8, 2011 after a 7 year battle with Frontal Temporal Degeneration Dementia. Brian resided at Sunrise of Cascade with care and love from all the staff at Sunrise. He was preceded in death by his parents, A. Armand (Tony) and Helen M. Nielson. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Pat, children, Brenda (Gill) Schumaker of Wilmette, IL and ToniLyn (Kevin) Sehlmeyer of Rockford, MI. PaPa Choo Choo loved running his HO trains for his grandchildren, Julia-Claire and Katie Schumaker, Sean and Mitchell Sehlmeyer. Also surviving are his sister Marge (Jim) VanFossen, sister-in-law Carole (Don) Therriault and several nieces and nephews. Brian, along with his parents and wife, owned and operated the Tarry House Cafeteria in downtown Grand Rapids from 1963-1979. He then was logistics manager until his early retirement to enjoy his hobbies of bicycling and model railroading. Bicycling took Brian all over the country making lifelong friends. His love of Standard trains and HO trains took the family on many vacations in pursuit of original Steam engine trains, train museums and historical places. Brian was a member of the early Grand Rapids Wheelman Bike Club, League of American Wheelman, Grand Rapids Model R.R. Train Club and the National Model of American Railroads. His love of biking incorporated his love of trains by often riding Rails to Trails bike paths. A service celebrating Brian's life will be held Saturday, November 19 at 3pm at John Knox Presbyterian Church with Pastor Mike Baynai, officiating. The family will greet friends and family at Ofield Funeral Home, Friday, November 18 from 2-4 and 6-8pm and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at church. In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Association of West Michigan or the John Knox Presbyterian Church Endowment fund.