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As received from the Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes:
Thomas Richard Olson, Sr., 88 of Hancock passed away of an apparent heart attack on Friday, October 9, 2020.
He was born in Hancock, Michigan on December 23, 1931 and graduated from Hancock Central High School in 1950. He was united in marriage to Nancy S. L. Kokko on July 16, 1960 and was married for 58 years before her passing on February 1, 2019 from Alzheimer’s disease she battled for 8 years.
He sailed on iron ore carrier ships on the Great Lakes in his younger years as a merchant marine before working at White Pine Copper Mine (Copper Range) for 30 years followed by working at Great Lakes Plastic (Warm Rain) for 10 years before his retirement in 1993. Tom Sr. enjoyed having all his 4 boys in junior hockey and being assistant coach for a few of those years. Enjoyed many years of camping with a pickup camper when his first 3 boys were young. He enjoyed deer hunting with his brothers-in-law Matt and George Kokko. He also enjoyed watching the Red Wing hockey games and football games, Detroit Lions and Tigers baseball on television. He and his wife Nancy enjoyed spending many nights at their summer camp during the summers and several trips to California and then Florida and to Green Bay, WI to visit their oldest and youngest sons. He has been lifelong friends with John and Lou Hanke.
He is preceded in death by his wife Nancy, both his parents, 7 sisters, 2 brothers, daughter-in-law (Deborah), and one grandson Brandon Olson.
Tom is survived by his 5 children Thomas R. Olson Jr, (Deborah – deceased in California) of Seminole, FL, Michael H. Olson, of Hancock, MI, Brian D. Olson (Cynthia) of Pelkie, MI, daughter Jennifer A. Olson, of Hancock, MI, David D. Olson (Amy Kerscher – fiancé) of Green Bay, WI and 3 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter and several nieces, nephews and many friends. Tom Sr. was a good man, husband and father and will be greatly missed.
There will be a private graveside service at the Lakeside Cemetery in Hancock for immediate family and a few close friends per his final wishes.
To view Tom’s obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
Memorial Chapel and Plowe Funeral Home of Hancock is assisting the family with arrangements.
