John O. Olson

John Olaf Olson, Sr. of Barrington, RI, formerly of Stoneham, MA, and Moody Beach, ME, passed away

peacefully in North Kingstown, RI, on Thursday, August 6, 2026, after a brief illness.

John was born in Cambridge, MA, on July 25, 1935, to the late Hilmer and Inez (Hedin) Olson, immigrants

from Sweden. He was raised and educated in Burlington, MA, on the family’s chicken farm and graduated

from Burlington High School, Class of 1953.

A natural-born salesman, John held a variety of sales positions throughout his life—doortodoor sales,

department store sales, and businesstobusiness auto parts sales to service stations. He eventually

became the proprietor of the Sunoco gas station in Winchester, MA, which he operated for many years. It

was during his time selling magazines doortodoor that John met the love of his life, Virginia (Ginny) Heitz.

John and Ginny settled in Stoneham, MA, where they raised their four sons—John Jr., Jeffrey, Todd, and

Douglas. John was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and greatgrandfather, and he was

happiest when surrounded by his family.

John loved the ocean, fishing, bowling, playing his favorite lottery numbers, and enjoying a good steak or

seafood dinner. He and his family spent many summers vacationing in Wells Beach, Maine, fishing,

digging for clams, and soaking up the sun. John and Ginny eventually retired to Moody Beach, Maine,

where they cherished sitting on their front porch, watching the birds, and socializing with their neighbors.

John and Ginny also loved their trips to Aruba and their winters in West Palm Beach, Florida.

John was predeceased by his beloved wife of 63 years, Virginia (Heitz) Olson. He was the father of John

O. Olson Jr. of Williston, VT; Jeffrey H. Olson and his wife Elise of Riverside, RI; Todd J. Olson of Ormond

Beach, FL; and Douglas C. Olson and his wife Julie of Wilmington, MA. "Grandpa" to Caitlin G. Boyle of

New London, NH; Nicholas L. Olson and his wife Jessica of Cornish, NH; Jennifer L. Platt and her partner

Matthew Hall of Foster, RI; Jeffrey J. Olson and his partner Kristen Garcia of Southington, CT; Jonathan J.

Olson and his partner Edilyn Bereguete of Warwick, RI; Elisabeth C. Olson of Salem, MA; Kristen L.

Olson of Arlington, VA; and Tyler Olson of New York City, NY. Sweet “Great-Grandpa” to Sophie A. Boyle

of New London, NH; Josephine R. Olson of Southington, CT; Lennon H. Platt and Blaire D. Hall of Foster,

RI. John was the oldest brother of the late Carl S. Olson of Newton, NH and Carol Donovan of Spring

Hill, FL. John is also survived by his beloved nieces and nephews, who brought immense joy to his life.

The family will honor John with a private burial to be held at a later date.