Obituary for Douglas A. Olsen
Douglas Alan Olsen, age 75 of West Deptford, NJ passed away on Monday, February 28, 2022. Doug is survived by his wife, Henri Ann and sons Dan (Mona) and Shane, grandchildren Ajay and Sheela. Loving brother to Jackie McCloskey (Brian), nephews Todd, Brian and Michael (Gabriella). Loving nephew of Charles and Judith McLaughlin, Esther Jurgelis, Lynn McLaughlin and many loving cousins. Predeceased by his parents Budd and Audrey Olsen, Uncle Walt Olsen, Uncle Jack McLaughlin, Aunts Marion Colna, Mildred Kershaw, Donna Brown and Dot Pine.
Doug was a natural athlete growing up and played baseball exceptionally well, yet his true passion was shared with his father - racing - which shaped his formative years as he watched his father race up and down the east coast and eventually win the NASCAR National Modified Championship in 1958.
As a young man, Doug attended both Glassboro State University and the University of Kentucky, the latter of which is where he discovered his love for the two things Kentucky is famous for: basketball and bourbon.
After graduating from college, Doug's passion remained racing which eventually became a successful business venture between he and his father when they formed Budd Olsen Speed Supplies, or BOSS. At its peak, BOSS employed over 15 workers and was producing many cars a year delivered across the country, Canada, and even overseas. Doug met his best friend and partner, Henri Ann, 40 years ago and they have been inseparable since then. The two loved to travel, spend time playing with their dog, Honey Pie, and enjoying a cup of coffee together in Philadelphia or Haddonfield.
Doug cherished his children and was always engaged and supportive of his boys' own endeavors; be it basketball, skiing & snowboarding, music, art or skateboarding. Whatever their interests, he found ways to support it.
He was handsome, effortlessly funny, and had a natural confidence which gave him the ability to connect with people easily from all walks of life. It also enabled him to seem at home in any environment - from the nicest French restaurant in Philadelphia or the pits of a dirt track and anywhere in between. The in between included travelling all over the world with his family including skiing in the Rocky Mountains, visits to Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, and many more European and Caribbean destinations. He never lost that joy of travelling and even drove across the country on a "bucket list" trip with his friend, Milt Leap. He loved the annual trip he and his sons, nephew, and friends would make to New York City to watch Kentucky Basketball. But his most regular tradition was Sunday coffee at Dunkin Donuts with his Aunts and Uncle along with any other friends and family who showed up for the morning.
After welcoming his daughter-in-law, Mona, to the family, we quickly discovered of all of his natural talents, one of his best was being a wonderful grandfather to Ajay and Sheela. Their love and affection was spurred on by their mutual love of sweets which often ended with Doug squirting whipped cream into the kids' mouths or sneaking them an extra Oreo without their Mom and Dad knowing.
Doug was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and a loyal and generous friend. He always enjoyed good music with great lyrics. In particular, he loved the ending of Jimmy Buffet's "He Went to Paris" as he felt it summed up his life, 'Some of it's magic, some of it's tragic, but I had a good life all the way.'
Family and Friends are invited to visit from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Sunday, March 6, 2022, and Monday, March 7, 2022, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Smith Funeral Home, 47 Main Street, Mantua, New Jersey 08051. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, March 7, 2022, at Smith Funeral Home.
Burial will be private.
Memories and condolences can be shared at www.smithfhmantua.com
Doug was a natural athlete growing up and played baseball exceptionally well, yet his true passion was shared with his father - racing - which shaped his formative years as he watched his father race up and down the east coast and eventually win the NASCAR National Modified Championship in 1958.
As a young man, Doug attended both Glassboro State University and the University of Kentucky, the latter of which is where he discovered his love for the two things Kentucky is famous for: basketball and bourbon.
After graduating from college, Doug's passion remained racing which eventually became a successful business venture between he and his father when they formed Budd Olsen Speed Supplies, or BOSS. At its peak, BOSS employed over 15 workers and was producing many cars a year delivered across the country, Canada, and even overseas. Doug met his best friend and partner, Henri Ann, 40 years ago and they have been inseparable since then. The two loved to travel, spend time playing with their dog, Honey Pie, and enjoying a cup of coffee together in Philadelphia or Haddonfield.
Doug cherished his children and was always engaged and supportive of his boys' own endeavors; be it basketball, skiing & snowboarding, music, art or skateboarding. Whatever their interests, he found ways to support it.
He was handsome, effortlessly funny, and had a natural confidence which gave him the ability to connect with people easily from all walks of life. It also enabled him to seem at home in any environment - from the nicest French restaurant in Philadelphia or the pits of a dirt track and anywhere in between. The in between included travelling all over the world with his family including skiing in the Rocky Mountains, visits to Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, and many more European and Caribbean destinations. He never lost that joy of travelling and even drove across the country on a "bucket list" trip with his friend, Milt Leap. He loved the annual trip he and his sons, nephew, and friends would make to New York City to watch Kentucky Basketball. But his most regular tradition was Sunday coffee at Dunkin Donuts with his Aunts and Uncle along with any other friends and family who showed up for the morning.
After welcoming his daughter-in-law, Mona, to the family, we quickly discovered of all of his natural talents, one of his best was being a wonderful grandfather to Ajay and Sheela. Their love and affection was spurred on by their mutual love of sweets which often ended with Doug squirting whipped cream into the kids' mouths or sneaking them an extra Oreo without their Mom and Dad knowing.
Doug was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and a loyal and generous friend. He always enjoyed good music with great lyrics. In particular, he loved the ending of Jimmy Buffet's "He Went to Paris" as he felt it summed up his life, 'Some of it's magic, some of it's tragic, but I had a good life all the way.'
Family and Friends are invited to visit from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Sunday, March 6, 2022, and Monday, March 7, 2022, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Smith Funeral Home, 47 Main Street, Mantua, New Jersey 08051. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, March 7, 2022, at Smith Funeral Home.
Burial will be private.
Memories and condolences can be shared at www.smithfhmantua.com