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Oscar S. Olsen New Franklin, OH QCWA # 17887 Chapter 39 10-10 # 3073 |
Oscar Sverre Olsen (age 102) of New Franklin, Ohio passed away peacefully at home in his sleep Thursday evening, January 21. Born October 2, 1913 in Jamaica, Queens, New York to Peder and Alma (Nilsson) Olsen, a second generation American who as a young man work-ed tirelessly in various odd jobs to help support his parents during the Great Depression.
Oscar attended New York University during night school, eventually graduating as a mechanical engineer, working for Babcock & Wilcox.
His career was disrupted when drafted into the infantry, where Oscar saw extensive combat on the frontlines from France into Germany until his unit pulled back to the Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge, where he was injured and discharged. A four time Bronze Star recipient, following the war, Oscar completed his degree and rejoined Babcock & Wilcox, proudly making many patented boiler designs during his 43 year career.
He married Doris (Roehm) in 1951, whom he had met on a blind date, and transferred to New Franklin, Ohio in 1958. Along with family and engineering, his passions were amateur radio (K8PIC), photography and sailing off the Long Island coast.
In the community, Oscar was a member of the Manchester United Methodist Church, the Goodyear Amateur Radio Club and a Mason (Clinton Lodge) for over 65 years. Previously, he served as treasurer at the Canal Fulton United Presbyterian Church, and, in his 90s, was a member of the Manchester Zoning Committee, where he participated in the formation of the city of New Franklin. Having taken care of his ailing wife until she passed in Jan. 2014, he continued to live independently in his home until last summer when he decided it was time to move in with his daughter in Dublin, Ohio.
Preceded in death by his wife Doris; great-grand-daughter Sophie, and his many friends. Oscar is survived by his sister, Clara Reynolds of Sun City, AZ; and three children, Bruce D. Olsen of W. Hollywood, CA; Linda J. (David) Koerber of Evergreen, CO; Elaine B. (Jeffrey) Mead of Dublin, OH. In addition, Oscar has five grandchildren, Erika, Krista, Jonathan, Kristopher, Linnea; and three great-grandchildren, Chloe, Alma and James.
A Masonic and Memorial service will be held February 2, 10:30 a.m. at Manchester United Methodist Church in New Franklin with Pastor Dale Gharky and Clinton Lodge #47 F & AM officiating, followed by a luncheon and 1:30 p.m. interment service at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Manchester United Methodist Church. Swigart-Easterling, 330-854-2356