Orville Hugh Olsson

Togus—Orville “Ollie” Hugh Olsson, 64, died October 19, 2011, at the VA Hospital, Hospice Unit after a very long, extended illness. He was born in Waterville on March 27, 1947 the son of the late Orville “Swede” and Mary “Mamie” (Canavan) Olsson. Ollie worked for many years as an accountant, and also owned Ollie’s Tavern in Augusta in the 1970’s, Peter’s Little Big Store in the 1980’s, and was a partner with his mother in Mamie Olsson’s Luncheonette, and Olson’s Catering Service. He retired at age 50 due to ill health from Agent Orange. Also at that time, his mother took ill so he cared for her for the next 6 years. He was a devoted son to his Mom and Dad, and grandson to his “Gram” Nina Canavan Patterson. Ollie graduated from Waterville High School and had a BS in education from Thomas College. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1966-1969. He was a Combat Sgt. in Dong Ha Vietnam in 1968-1969, earning 11 ribbons and 2 meritorious Masts. He was very proud of his service in the Marines and Vietnam. Ollie served as the lone republican councilman for the City of Waterville in 1985-1986 and was on the zoning board in the 1980’s. Ollie was also a life member of the following organizations: Bourque-Lanigan Post 5, Waterville American Legion, VFW Post 1285-Waterville and 8835-Winslow, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), VFW Cooties, Third Marine Corp Division, 3rd Marine Corps (New England Chapter), Marine Corp League of Kennebec County, and the Waterville Elks 905. He also was a member of the American Legion 40+yrs., Kappa Delta Phi National Fraternity as well as the Parish of the Holy Spirit. Ollie is survived by his beloved and devoted sister who he loved dearly, Joyce Olsson Pinkham and her husband Lloyd of Brunswick and Venice, FL.; his aunt and uncle Robert “Spanky” and Marilyn Canavan; his 3 nieces, Ginger Goodwin of Sebago, Tammy O’Donnell and husband Doug of Cumberland and Lori Bergeron and husband Mark of Saco; his great nieces and nephews, Katie and husband Craig Twombly, Kerry and husband Greg Caron, Brenda O’Donnell, Olivia and Austin Goodwin, Jacob, Holden & Nathaniel Bergeron. Ollie also leaves behind good friends, Ron Quirion, Dick Vashon, Gary Clukey, Joseph Bourgoin, Dan Berard, Brenda Bourassa, as well as many other close friends and his love, his dog Angel. He is happy now; he is with the Lord and the loves of his life, his Mom and Dad, his Gram, and his pets Moocher & Frisky. His final wish is that he will be listed in the book at the Vietnam Memorial Wall in DC as a casualty of the Vietnam War do to Agent Orange that was not discovered until 1997. Visiting hours will be held 4-8 PM, Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at Veilleux Funeral Home, 8 Elm Street, Waterville. At 6 PM, the American Legion will have a short prayer service. A mass of Christian burial will be held 11 AM, Wednesday, October 26th at Notre Dame Church, Silver Street, Waterville. Burial with Military Honors will be at Maine Veterans’ Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta, October 26th at 1 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Humane Society Waterville Area, 100 Webb Road, Waterville, ME 04901.