The Joe Nelli Scholarship Fund Endowed by the Kiwanis Club of Gastonia

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. The Kiwanis Club of Gastonia is an active group of professionals who are dedicated to the service of children. Founded in Gastonia, North Carolina on December 31, 1940, the Kiwanis Club of Gastonia has a long record of service to our community. This scholarship is made as a tribute to the dedication and hard work of club members throughout the years to make Gaston County a better place to live, work and prosper. Education is a key ingredient for future success and this scholarship endeavors to encourage those wishing to better themselves through Gaston College.

With this scholarship, the Kiwanis Club wishes to honor the memory of one of its longtime and most devoted members, Mr. Joseph Nelli. He retired in 1991 from FMC Lithium Division after a career of 31 years in process research, new product development, and business development.

Joe was a devoted husband and the consummate father, raising his eight children with the love, compassion and discipline that only a devoutly religious man could provide. Joe was an avid golfer and bowler and loved playing backyard badminton games with his children. Joe loved to travel and visited over 25 countries with his beloved wife. For nearly 60 years, he embarked on his yearly vacation to Long Beach, N.C. where the extended family would gather for a week or more of fun and togetherness. Throughout his life, he organized family outings to museums, amusements and historical settings for the enjoyment of all.