Obituary for Arthur Gilbert Olsson
Arthur G. Olsson of Nashua, NH passed away peacefully on February 27, 2020 at the age of 95. Art was born in Patchogue, NY on July 24, 1924, the son of Axel H. and Agnes (Ahlin) Olsson. After graduation from high school in Bayport, NY he attended the RCA Institute in NYC prior to entering the United States Army in March 1943. He served with General George Patton's Third Army during and after the Battle of the Bulge. His 1258th Engineer Combat Battalion was put in charge of preparing the courtroom for the Nuremberg War Crimes trials.
Discharged from the Army in January of 1946, Art attended the University of Chicago, graduating with a bachelor’s in philosophy. In 1947 he married Georgia Franklin and continued in graduate school, finishing just shy of a Ph.D in philosophy. In 1951, he returned to Long Island where he became a partner in a precision optical company. Art and Georgia had four daughters together.
In 1957 Art and his family moved to New Hampshire. Art was employed by RCA in Burlington, MA where he worked for 30 years as an Engineering Scientist in the design of computer hardware and software.
Art was active in the Nashua Symphony Association, serving on the board for a number of years with 10 of those as President. He played violin in the Symphony for more than 35 years, and also played the viola in the Nashua Chamber Orchestra. He acted as senior advisor to the Orchestra’s board of directors. He was a member of the Amateur Chamber Music Players, performing with various chamber groups in Europe and the United States.
Art was a member of the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Nashua and served as the first treasurer of the newly formed White Wing School. He sang in the choir for 25 years, taught Sunday School, and served 6 years on the Executive Committee, with 2 years as President.
Art worked for the Democratic Party in several election campaigns, serving as a delegate to NH Democratic State Conventions. Appointed by the late mayor Dennis Sullivan, he served on a citizen's advisory committee to recommend a course of action to computerize the city's tax system. He then was appointed to the first Capital Improvements Committee in the early '70's, to prioritize spending for major city projects. In 1978 he was made a Trustee of the Moses Hunt Lecture Fund, continuing in this post until recently.
Art was a lifelong member of the YMCA, where he was a fixture until the age of 95.
Art was predeceased by his brother Alden Olsson of Bayport, NY, daughter Sandra Coronis and grandson, Michael Coronis.
In addition to his wife of 33 years, Jane Hanle-Olsson, Art is survived by daughters Gwen (Frank) Garland, Michelle (Charlie) Wall, and Lynne (Michael) Hujsak; son-in-law Greg Coronis; 8 grandchildren, and 3 great-granddaughters. He is also survived by stepchildren Mary Tamposi, Matthew Spaloss and Stephen Spaloss.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Courville, Greenbriar, and Merrimack Hospice for their outstanding, compassionate care.
Burial will be held privately at the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH. There will be a celebration of Art's life at a later date.
Discharged from the Army in January of 1946, Art attended the University of Chicago, graduating with a bachelor’s in philosophy. In 1947 he married Georgia Franklin and continued in graduate school, finishing just shy of a Ph.D in philosophy. In 1951, he returned to Long Island where he became a partner in a precision optical company. Art and Georgia had four daughters together.
In 1957 Art and his family moved to New Hampshire. Art was employed by RCA in Burlington, MA where he worked for 30 years as an Engineering Scientist in the design of computer hardware and software.
Art was active in the Nashua Symphony Association, serving on the board for a number of years with 10 of those as President. He played violin in the Symphony for more than 35 years, and also played the viola in the Nashua Chamber Orchestra. He acted as senior advisor to the Orchestra’s board of directors. He was a member of the Amateur Chamber Music Players, performing with various chamber groups in Europe and the United States.
Art was a member of the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Nashua and served as the first treasurer of the newly formed White Wing School. He sang in the choir for 25 years, taught Sunday School, and served 6 years on the Executive Committee, with 2 years as President.
Art worked for the Democratic Party in several election campaigns, serving as a delegate to NH Democratic State Conventions. Appointed by the late mayor Dennis Sullivan, he served on a citizen's advisory committee to recommend a course of action to computerize the city's tax system. He then was appointed to the first Capital Improvements Committee in the early '70's, to prioritize spending for major city projects. In 1978 he was made a Trustee of the Moses Hunt Lecture Fund, continuing in this post until recently.
Art was a lifelong member of the YMCA, where he was a fixture until the age of 95.
Art was predeceased by his brother Alden Olsson of Bayport, NY, daughter Sandra Coronis and grandson, Michael Coronis.
In addition to his wife of 33 years, Jane Hanle-Olsson, Art is survived by daughters Gwen (Frank) Garland, Michelle (Charlie) Wall, and Lynne (Michael) Hujsak; son-in-law Greg Coronis; 8 grandchildren, and 3 great-granddaughters. He is also survived by stepchildren Mary Tamposi, Matthew Spaloss and Stephen Spaloss.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Courville, Greenbriar, and Merrimack Hospice for their outstanding, compassionate care.
Burial will be held privately at the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH. There will be a celebration of Art's life at a later date.