Earl Olson

Wing Commander (Retired RCAF)

Our beloved Father died suddenly the afternoon of October 19, 2015. He would have been so happy to know that the Blue Jays won that night and his vote in the election counted! At the happy age of 99+ he was interested in everything and involved in every facet of his daily life and the lives of those he loved. His children....Lee, Suzanne, Greg and Terry were so proud of him, loved him with a passion, and did everything possible to make life easier for him as his body became increasingly frail. He recently taught three of his Grandchildren, Craig, Jan, and Jodi the skill of cooking and carving a turkey…enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving with them. This left a smile on his face and an everlasting smile on theirs.

Our Dad was born on the family homestead, identified as Sec.5, Tp10, Rge16, W3rd, Saskatchewan (Municipality of Bone Creek) on his Birth Certificate, to Einar Olson and Hazel Bertine Groven, on July 16,1916. He spent a wonderful childhood on the homestead/farm and then in Scotsguard/Shaunavon, Sask. surrounded by loving (Norwegian) parents and his six brothers, Glenn, Harvey, Everett, Kermit, Neil and Merle. His brother Neil Olson of Edmonton, Alta. survives him along with many nieces, nephews and new generations of family members across Western Canada. Dad married our Mother, Mary Patricia Plant, of Smiths Falls, Ont. Dec 24th, 1942 while on a short leave from the military. As an Officer in the RCAF he spent most of WWII in the Outer Hebrides (Scotland) commanding a secret Radar site. These Radar Stations proved invaluable to the Allied War effort. When the war ended he was commanding a Mobile Radar Unit in Southern Germany. Dad had a twenty-eight year career in the military and retired as a Wing Commander in 1968 after interesting postings in the UK, Germany/Luxembourg, Ottawa, Boston, and Montreal. He later had a ten year career with Revenue Canada in Ottawa, retiring permanently in 1981.

Many happy years followed spent between the family cottage at Heart Lake, Que. and winters in Destin, Florida. Dad often reminisced about how fulfilling and happy his life had been, and how lucky he was to have had two wonderful women to love. Our Mother Pat died in Destin, Fl in Dec. of 1990. Dad then met and fell in love with Aline Cooke, and they spent 17 blissful years together. Aline pre-deceased him in June 2011.

His granddaughter Jodi once described him this way: "I have long believed he is the best of Ernest Hemingway, Santa Claus and George Bailey all rolled into one. My grandfather is wise and kind and so sharp, he genuinely loves life and makes the most of every day. He has lived a life full of loves and some losses, and still carries on and finds joy and interest in the world around him." Many others acknowledged his remarkable life:

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Brown+Earl+Olson+follows+Memory+Lane+Prescott/8750366/story.html

He was a lifelong member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Ottawa. Recently he had moved to the Perley and Rideau Veterans Health Care Centre in Ottawa and appreciated the care and attention shown him there. Left to mourn and love his memory forever are children Jon Leroy (wife Phyllis) of Tucson, Arizona, Hazel Suzanne (husband James McLean) of Destin, Florida, Gregory Glenn (wife Tracey Miller) of Seattle, Washington and Terrance of Ottawa who was a vital part of his daily life. He was pre-deceased by one infant son, Geoffrey. He leaves Grandchildren Craig Olson, Jan Olson Proulx, Jodi Brackett, Samantha Olson and Great-grandchildren Olivia Proulx, Jasmine Olson, Lily Proulx, Sophia Proulx, and Austin Olson.

Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held next July on what would have been Dad's 100th birthday. Interment at Canada’s National Military Cemetery, Beechwood, Ottawa will be held that same day.

Donations to the Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre Foundation would be appreciated in honour of Earl Olson and all Veterans.