Col. (Ret’d) George N. R. Olson

George lived in Barkerville and Wells, B.C., from 1934 to 42, when his family moved to North Vancouver. After graduating from high school, he joined the military on an Officer Training Course. Posted to Picton, Ont., in 1951, he returned to North Van to marry Helen Swift in 1953. He served in the military for 28 years, from the Fourth Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, eventually to command the 1SSM Battery in CFB Hemer, Germany, which was disbanded in 1970 when Canada scrapped its Honest John rocket program. In between, George served as a UN Peacekeeper in Cyprus in 1966; after an Ottawa tour, he became military attache to Canada’s NATO ambassador in Brussels (1976-9). He retired there and continued to serve on the international staff of NATO.

During this diverse career, Helen focused on raising their four children, Sheree-Lee, Richard (Glenda), Andrea and Cynthia. Four grandchildren, Nick, Dash, Tajah and Emma, complete the family. After returning to Canada in 1987, George and Helen spent much of their time RVing and traveling with extended family and visiting old military friends, finally settling in Victoria. During a short stay in Victoria General Hospital, the family gathered with George as he passed away, comforting him as their presence always did.

At George’s request, there will be no service; a small gift to the Alzheimer’s Society or Victoria Hospice would be greatly appreciated.