Heritage Memorials was founded in 1967 by G. Maurice Nelson (president and owner), Harry Nelson (sales manager), Gordon Hendy (vice-president), James Preston, John Murray and Maurice’s sons, Darrell and George W. Nelson (secretary-treasurer). From the beginning, Heritage was a full-service company with its own quarry, manufacturing plant and delivery fleet. Within three years, Heritage was the largest monument company in Nova Scotia. In 1969, Heritage expanded operations to Prince Edward Island…obtaining the largest market share within two years.
The mid-eighties saw the passing of Maurice and Harry. George W. Nelson became president in 1985. Steven Nelson (George’s son) and Dean Nelson (Maurice’s son) joined the firm over the next few years.
In 1988, Heritage expanded to the New Brunswick and Newfoundland markets. Within two years, it became the largest monument company in Atlantic Canada and over the next five years became the largest retail monument company in Canada.
In 2006, Steven became president, Dean, vice president, and George…vice president special projects. The present management team was completed when Jeff Beed joined as sales manager in 2007.
The Heritage family history goes back to the founding of the original firm by George W. and Percy Nelson in 1909. We are the only branch able to trace a continuous work and ownership position for five generations since 1909.
At Heritage, our greatest pride is not in our past, but in our reputation in the present for quality, innovation and customer service. That is what has made us the only full manufacturer in the Maritimes. Heritage, since its founding, has led the way in innovation. From the introduction of European diamond sawing and polishing technology: the first European diamond saw, the first diamond block saw, the first base cut-off saw, and the first brick changing polishing machine—have permitted us to maintain our full manufacturing facilities.
However, it is the systems and technology that Heritage has developed that has kept us at the forefront of our industry: our development of computer lettering and laser stencil cutting technology, our delivery system that lets us deliver with no truck downtime, our computer inventory system that lets us maximize our productivity and minimize wastage…and perhaps most important of all…our colour sketch program.
At Heritage, our pride is not in the years, but in those who went before us—who taught us the values of hard work, our duty to leave our company better than we found it, and the importance of honest dealings with our customers and those with whom we work.
Our pride is, that with your efforts, we have been able to maintain our history of producing quality memorials for Atlantic Canadians by Atlantic Canadians.
