Carl W. Olson, 93.

VENICE, FL Carl W. Olson, 93, formerly of Venice, FL, Hopedale, Lancaster, and Worcester, MA died Sunday, June 14, 2009 after a long illness. He was preceded in death in 1994 by his beloved wife of 52 years, Helen E. (Hammarstrom) Olson. He later married Joan T. Pease-Olson, a vibrant woman with whom he shared a love of family and travel until her death in 2008.

He is survived by his sons, William H. Olson and wife, Sheela, of Skillman, N.J., and Carl F. Olson and wife, Judith, of El Cerrito, CA, as well as brother Benedict Olson and wife, Shirley, of Dover, MA, and many nephews and nieces. He also leaves step-sons, Kenneth Pease and wife, Nancy, of Syracuse, N.Y., Karl R. Pease and wife, Audrey, of Sharon, MA, and step-daughters, Judith A. Leonelli and husband, Nick, of Mendon, MA., Janis Pease of Kernersville, N.C., and Jennifer Gavelis and husband, Leonard, of Franklin, MA as well as eight step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.

Carl grew up in Worcester, son of Carl and Wilhelmina Olson, and graduated from South High School followed by an A.B. degree in Geography from Clark University in 1939. He moved to the Washington, D.C. area to work for the Cartographic Division of the U.S. Geological Survey Dept. of the Interior. During World War II, he mapped critical areas of Alaska, North Africa, and Europe for the U.S. Armed Forces. He later worked for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency mapping areas worldwide. After 33 years of government service, he retired to Lancaster and Hopedale, MA, and Venice, Florida, where he spent his retirement traveling, enjoying sports, and spending time with family and friends. He was a fun-loving, gregarious man who lived life to the fullest and brought great joy to everyone who knew him.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 12, 2009, at 2 PM at Grace Lutheran Church, 543 Greendale Avenue, Needham, MA.

Donations in Carl's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation.