CLIFFORD ODVIND OLSON

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CLIFFORD ODVIND OLSON Clifford Olson passed away suddenly and peacefully on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at the Victoria Hospital at the age of 77 years. He will be missed dearly by his family, many good friends, and past business colleagues. Immediate family left to mourn him are his daughter Barbara and granddaughter Karlie, son, Rob Olson, daughter-in-law Tess Bernacki and grandson Benjamin; sister Shirley Aitken (Frank Allan, deceased), brother Curt Olson (Gloria), sisters; Aurlie Young (Norm, deceased), Marlys Pearse (Ron), Sherrie Loewen (Gerry). Cliff was predeceased by his beloved wife Verla and son Mitchell. Cliff was born to Alma and Oscar Olson in Starbuck, Manitoba on December 8, 1937. Cliff married Verla Olson (nee Ferris) from Sperling, Manitoba in 1960. They lost their eldest son Mitchell in 1972 when they were hit by a drunk driver on the number two highway near Starbuck. Cliff coached Mitchell in hockey and the two of them were inseparable. Clifford carried the sadness of his son's tragic passing to the end of his journey, but he did not live a sad life. On the contrary, Clifford was a fun loving man who took great pride in playfully teasing all those around him. He really loved to laugh and we'll all remember how red his face got when his brother Curt Olson would really get him going with a colorful story of one of their misadventures when they were young. Clifford started his career in construction when he was just 15 years old, as a laborer for Comstock Construction. Through hard work and because of his innate leadership qualities and extraordinary problem solving skills, he rose through the ranks to the top of that company, becoming the Executive Vice President. He devoted much of his life to the people who worked for him at Comstock, staying with that same company for over 50 years, building hydro dams, transmission lines and large commercial buildings across western Canada. He was fiercely independent and always told us, "you better learn to look after yourself in this life because nobody else will." He was a bold leader that lived life on his terms. He was loyal to his friends and family, no matter what. He was feisty, extremely hard working, mischievous and honest to a fault. If you'd gained weight, he'd let you know it. When he wasn't working, he loved the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman, ardent pursuer of big bucks and a devoted supporter of conservation organizations, especially youth hunting programs. A celebration of Cliff's life will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 637 Buckingham Road, with reception to follow in the church hall. Flowers gratefully declined. Should you wish, donations may be made in Cliff's memory to the new hunter recruitment programs at the Manitoba Wildlife Federation at 70 Stevenson Road, Winnipeg, MB, R3H 0W7.
Publish Date: Nov 14, 2015

CLIFFORD ODVIND OLSON Clifford Olson passed away suddenly and peacefully on Wednesday, November 11, 2015, at the Victoria Hospital, at the age of 77 years. He will be missed dearly by his family, many good friends, and past business colleagues. Immediate family left to mourn him are his daughter Barbara and granddaughter Karlie, son Rob Olson, daughter-in-law Tess Bernacki and grandson Benjamin. Cliff was predeceased by his beloved wife Verla, and son Mitchell. Cliff was born to Alma and Oscar Olson in Starbuck, Manitoba on December 8, 1937. Cliff married Verla Olson (nee Ferris) from Sperling, Manitoba in 1960. They lost their eldest son Mitchell in 1972 when they were hit by a drunk driver on the number two highway near Starbuck. Cliff coached Mitchell in hockey and the two of them were inseparable. Clifford carried the sadness of his son's tragic passing to the end of his journey, but he did not live a sad life. On the contrary, Clifford was a fun loving man who took great pride in playfully teasing all those around him. He really loved to laugh and we'll all remember how red his face got when his brother, Curt Olson, would really get him going with a colourful story of one of their misadventures when they were young. Clifford started his career in construction when he was just 15 years old, as a labourer for Comstock Construction. Through hard work and because of his innate leadership qualities and extraordinary problem solving skills, he rose through the ranks to the top of that company, becoming the Executive Vice President. He devoted much of his life to the people who worked for him at Comstock, staying with that same company for over 50 years, building hydro dams, transmission lines and large commercial buildings across western Canada. He was fiercely independent and always told us, "you better learn to look after yourself in this life because nobody else will." He was a bold leader that lived life on his terms. He was loyal to his friends and family, no matter what. He was feisty, extremely hard working, mischievous and honest to a fault. If you'd gained weight, he'd let you know it. When he wasn't working, he loved the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman, ardent pursuer of big bucks and a devoted supporter of conservation organizations, especially youth hunting programs. A celebration of Cliff's life will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 12:00 noon at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 637 Buckingham Road, with reception to follow in the church hall. Flowers gratefully declined. Should you wish, donations may be made in Cliff's memory to the new hunter recruitment programs at the Manitoba Wildlife Federation, 70 Stevenson Road, Winnipeg, MB R3H 0W7. The Coutu Family in care of arrangements: E.J. COUTU & CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 680 Archibald Street 204-253-5086 ejcoutu.com
Publish Date: Nov 13, 2015

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 14, 2015