OLSON, Arthur Stephens
July 7, 1930 – February 13, 2016
Born in Prince Rupert, Art lived in Kamloops, Penticton, 100 Mile House, Qualicum Beach, Coquitlam and Gibsons. He joined Swift Canadian in Prince Rupert, spent some years in sales with Mutual Life, prior to attending UBC majoring in English & Mathematics. Art began teaching in Port Alberni and Parksville, was a principal in Qualicum Beach and 100 Mile House, completed his Masters at U.Vic, and retired from School District 69 as Assistant Superintendent in 1987.
Art played and coached basketball and baseball into his thirties, scuba dived for decades, enjoyed fishing and boating along the coast, and in his seventies took up golf. One highlight was sailing with Joan in Ulidia from Gibsons to Prince Rupert and back.
Throughout his life, Art always contributed to and participated in his community as a volunteer fireman, sports coach, founding director in 1968 of SOS, a volunteer, non profit organization providing services and programs to families in District 69. He served as a councillor in Qualicum Beach, organized Citizens on Patrol in Gibsons and actively supported many other groups in many communities over the years. In retirement Art was busy renovating several homes, refining his cabinetry skills, avidly reading, playing guitar, photography and travelling extensively throughout five continents.
He is survived by his wife, Joan of 28 years, his brother Frank(Rose), sisters Doraleen (Rolf) and Pauline (Brian), his daughters Lauren (Jim), Zoe, Kelly (Richard), grandchildren Tess, Lucy, Chloe, Joel and nieces and nephews.
Art will be remembered for his honesty, integrity, empathy, humour, hard work and positive spirit
A special thank you to: Dr. Brian Myhill-Jones, Dr. Khaled Ramadan, Dr. Sara Wadge and the staff at Sechelt Hospital for their expertise and care over the past few years. Art died suddenly of heart failure and complications from acute leukemia in Sechelt.
A memorial donation to the BC Cancer Agency, Canadian Red
Cross or Knowledge Network would be appreciated.
A celebration of Art’s life will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2016.