Melvin S. ‘Ollie’ Olson

MELVIN S. “OLLIE” OLSON – of Burlington, formerly of Woburn, Tuesday, June 16th. Beloved husband of Greta (Pedersen) Olson. Devoted father of Cheryl A. Pietragallo and her husband Anthony, Richard E. Olson, all of Burlington, Susan J. Olson and her fiancé John F. Warren, Cindy L. Dufield and her husband James, all of Tewksbury, and David A. Olson and his wife Diane of Billerica. Former father-in-law of Janice L. Olson. Dear brother of the late Mae Woodland, Eva Grecco, and Helen Arbing. Cherished “Papa” of Joseph and Andrea Pietragallo, Ricki and Kristina Olson, Jimmy and Emily Dufield, and Ashley and Ryan Olson, and great-grandfather of Carter Pietragallo and Paisley and Blake Olson. Also lovingly survived by many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a Funeral Service in the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn on Monday, June 22nd at 10 a.m. Interment in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. Calling hours will be held in the Funeral Home on Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. Remembrances may be made in Ollie’s memory to the Aleppo Shriners, 99 Fordham Road, Wilmington, MA 01887.

OBITUARY:

Melvin S. “Ollie” Olson, a longtime Woburn business man, passed away Tuesday, June 16th at Lahey Clinic in Burlington. The beloved husband of Greta (Pedersen) Olson, he was eighty-five years of age.

Born and raised in Woburn, “Ollie,” as he was affectionately known, was the only son of four children of the late Ernest and Alida Olson. He attended Woburn Schools and graduated from Woburn High School with the Class of 1948. Following high school he enlisted in the US Army and proudly served his country during the Korean War. When he returned home, Ollie began working at the Jenny Station in the south end, where he remained the proprietor and then in 1978, he bought the station next to Roma’s Bakery and “Ollie’s Service and Gas Station,” came to fruition, and there it remains today, still Olson family owned!

In 1954, Ollie also met the love of his life, Greta, through her brother-in-law at the Jenny gas station. They married and brought five loving and dedicated children into the world. They made their home in Woburn for several years and then nestled into Burlington in 1960. It was there that all the children were raised and educated. The Olsons enjoyed their summers at their cottage in Hillsborough, New Hampshire. They enjoyed every summer boating on Franklin Pierce Lake, waterskiing, soaking up the sun, and enjoying time with each other. The Lake was where Ollie was truly at peace and could relax. Ollie had a special relationship with each of his children and as the family grew and he became “Papa,” he shared that wonderful that bond with each of them as well.

In later years, Ollie loved to travel down to Foxwoods and every year he and Greta would jet off to a different island to basking in the sun and enjoying their surroundings. He also was very fond of his Indian motorcycle and enjoyed many rides with the “Tower Gang,” a group of friends from Woburn, who all shared the very same interest in biking. Prior to purchasing the gas station, Ollie took a twenty-eight day cross country excursion with his family and had a ball!

A very hard worker, Ollie never complained! At 4 a.m. the lights went on, the “open” sign out, pumps unlocked and he was ready for his day! Even after he retired he still came in you would see the lights on in the wee hours of the morning. Always the “go to guy,” Ollie was a wonderful son, husband, father, Papa and friend. Loveable, generous and truly a very kind man, he helped anyone and everyone in any way he could. Certainly a life well lived.

In addition to his parents, Ollie was predeceased by his sisters, Mae Woodland, Eva Grecco, and Helen Arbing.

He is lovingly survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Greta (Pederson) Olson; his children, Cheryl A. Pietragallo and her husband Anthony, Richard E. Olson, all of Burlington, Susan J. Olson and her fiancé John F. Warren, Cindy L. Dufield and her husband James, all of Tewksbury, and David A. Olson and his wife Diane of Billerica; his former daughter-in-law, Janice L. Olson; his grandchildren, Joseph and Andrea Pietragallo, Ricki and Kristina Olson, Jimmy and Emily Dufield, and Ashley and Ryan Olson; his great-grandchildren, Carter Pietragallo and Paisley and Blake Olson; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a Funeral Service in the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn on Monday, June 22nd at 10 a.m. Interment in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. Calling hours will be held in the Funeral Home on Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. Remembrances may be made in Ollie’s memory to the Aleppo Shriners, 99 Fordham Road, Wilmington, MA 01887.