Scottsdale City Councilman dies after battle with cancer

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - City officials said Wednesday that Scottsdale City Councilman Tony Nelssen has lost his battle with cancer.

According to city officials, Nelssen began serving on the Scottsdale City Council in June 2006. He was active in civic affairs for more than two decades prior, serving on a variety of city commissions and advisory groups, as well as neighborhood and civic associations. He was planning to run for re-election this year.

"This is a great loss of Scottsdale," said Mayor Jim Lane. "Tony Nelssen was a passionate and dedicated citizen who was truly devoted to improving our community. He was a great colleague and friend, and he will be missed greatly."

Back in 1996, Nelssen also founded The Great Sonoran, a group advocating innovative, site specific and climate sensitive architecture suited to the Sonoran Desert. Scottsdale derived much of its sensitive design guidelines from those developed by The Great Sonoran.

He was a member of the Scottsdale Planning Commission for two and one half years, and the city's Parks and Recreation Commission for six years. On the state level, Councilman Nelssen was a member of the Arizona State Heritage Fund Public Advisory Committee.

In 2002, he was named Horse Hero of the year in the Town of Cave Creek. Nelssen also taught computer graphics and digital photography at Paradise Valley Community College, and had taught courses at Arizona State University, Phoenix College and Scottsdale Community College.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to the Scottsdale Police Department's Mounted Unit in Councilman Nelssen's name.

Tony Nelssen leaves behind a wife, son and daughter.

Memorial services for Councilman Tony Nelssen will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 8, at WestWorld's Equidome, 16601 N. Pima Road.