Oliver J. Olson III

May 19, 1933 - September 22, 2017

Oliver J. Olson, III passed away on September 22, 2017, in Mill Valley, CA. He was predeceased by his father (Oliver J. Olson, Jr.), mother (Grace Buckley Olson), and sister (Cynthia Marshall).

He was born on May 19, 1933, in San Francisco and lived there until the family moved to San Rafael in 1939. He commuted with friends he had made at St. Raphael’s School to Saint Ignatius in San Francisco for high school and remained a life-long supporter of SI. While attending the College of Marin he was drafted into the Army, spending most of his time in Korea. On his return, he joined the family shipping business started by his grandfather (the Oliver J. Olson Company) and spent time in Long Beach, Eureka, Coos Bay and Portland, Oregon before returning to the Bay Area. Ollie served as President of the Company before it was sold to a large paper company in the late 1970s. In his retirement he reconnected with his friend Susan Gantner who became his beloved life companion until his death. Ollie helped Susan with the business side of her company, Jordan Press, for many years.

Ollie loved his family and friends dearly and will always be remembered for his generous spirit, keen wit and kindness. Ollie was genuinely interested in the lives of the people around him and was completely devoted to the youngest generation in the family.

He leaves behind his sister Elizabeth Brennan (Brian), their sons David (Cynthia) and John (Joanne), and nieces Kathryn Courtwright (Brad), Elizabeth Ritchie (Mark), and Joanne Hartfield (Barry) and their families. He also leaves behind Susan Gantner, her daughters Benicia Gantner (Rudy Samuels) and Florence Zink (Andy) and their families.

A memorial Mass will be held at St. Ignatius Church on October 26th at 2:00pm with a reception to follow. Remembrances may be made to St. Ignatius College Preparatory, Dominican Mission Foundation, or a charity of your choice in his memory.