Thomas "Tom" Peter Nielsen passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends at his home in Atascadero on July 13, 2015, at the age of 71.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife JoAnne in 2003.

He is survived by his daughter Amy of Atascadero and his son Keith, his wife Nicole and granddaughter Alyssa of El Dorado Hills, and brother Michael Nielsen of Livermore.

Tom was born on Jan. 26, 1944, in Berkeley to Dwight and Phyllis Nielsen.

Tom had masterŐs degrees in Public Administration and Social Work. He married JoAnne his college sweetheart in 1968. After moving to Atascadero, Tom began working for the County of San Luis Obispo as a probation officer.

In 1997 he became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for the State of California until retiring in 2014.

His children remember him as a kind, gentle, generous, and loving father who encouraged them to pursue their goals.

A funeral is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the Chapel of the Roses Mortuary in Atascadero, with a reception to follow. Condolences can be sent to dignitymemorial.com/chapel-of-the-roses-mortuary/en-us/index.page.