John Olson

John R. Olson, 71, of Forbes Street, passed away Friday evening at Albany Medical Center Hospital. Born in Amsterdam on January 6, 1941, the only child of the late John Sr. and Gertrude Schotts Olson Olechowski. A 1958 graduate of Wilbur H. Lynch High School, John then entered the US Navy. He served on the USS Stickell. Upon his honorable discharge he began a career with the Mohasco Corp. Later, he began working for the Bartyzel Inc. Distributors until he retired in 2000. John was big Giants fan, also rooting for the Mets and Syracuse. He enjoyed bingo and in earlier years bowled with the St. John's Men's League. He was a member of the former American Lithuanian Club and a parishioner of St. Stephen's R.C. Church, and formerly of St. Casimir's parish. On December 1, 1962 he was united in marriage to the former Mary Ann Rogala. In addition to his beloved wife of nearly fifty years, he leaves his loving daughter Kelly A. Olson of Amsterdam, his "grand puppies" Kailee, Allie and Dixie as well as his cockatiel Taboo and cousins. Services are private at the convenience of the family at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue. The Rev. O. Robert DeMartinis officiating. There are no calling hours and memorials may be made in his name to the Ayres Animal Shelter in care of the funeral home office. Interment is in St. Casimir's Cemetery. Mary Ann and Kelly would like to express their sincere gratitude to the dedicated staff of Albany Medical Center VICU for their wonderful care to John and his family.