08-10-1937 - 01-27-2026
On a quintessential snowy night up on his beloved Scrag Mountain, GMan took his final breath in the arms of his family. For three years, he fought off the effects of his acute myeloid leukemia diagnosis. The oncology team at UVM, led by Dr. Adrianzen, Anne Berkowitz and Jaime Gessner went above and beyond to provide him with the care and compassion he needed to manage his disease. The team of nurses at CVMC all coordinated by Cailyn Baroffio in the front office, provided him with their warmth and humor every week for his blood draws and transfusions. He never got his Bud Light, but you gave him so much more. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for all the care you provided not only for GMan but for his family as well. Truly angels on earth.
In the final accounting of his life, GMan, had many chapters. He entered this world in Chicago, Illinois, on August 10, 1937 to his parents, Graham and Edna Olson, older brother Gus and later to come younger brother, John. From the beginning it was apparent he would put his full energy and compassion into everything he chose to do. He excelled in football at Taft High School and Knox College. He could have pursued professional football, but chose to further his education with a Master’s degree at the Institute of Paper Chemistry in Appleton, Wisconsin.
It was here he met Linda, his love and life partner for 65 years. As newlyweds, they went on to honor a two-year commitment to the Army where he rose to Captain and commanded an Artillery Battalion. Their first son, Peter, joined the family here in Tacoma, Washington. He then went back to the Institute of Paper Chemistry to pursue a PhD. It was there their daughter, Kristin, joined the family.
After graduation, he accepted a job with Champion Papers and worked in Ohio, North Carolina, Alabama, and Texas, eventually leading Champion as their CEO in Stamford, Connecticut. During this journey, their son, Michael, was born in North Carolina. There is a pattern that emerges in everything he chose to do in life. He always rose to the top. No one was more humble or thankful. He had a special quality of listening and respecting others. He led by example, hard work and he had a natural ability to bring out the best in others. His goal was not to stand out, but to be supportive, show up, work hard, and walk alongside.
However successful he was in his career, his heart was always with his family, Peter (Nancy), Kristin, and Mike (Stephanie) and his beloved grandchildren Kate, Makenzie, Marley, Grant and Audrey. Once again, he shared his energy and love not only for his family but every person that entered his world. He encouraged, coached, and provided over 20 young men and women with their college educations. Watching them fulfill their potential was one of his greatest joys.
He was particularly fond of the special times he spent in Wisconsin at a Green Bay Packers game or with his brothers, John, Gus, and their families. Sailing on the waters of Great Lakes or on their Grand Banks trawlers was a day well spent.
He and Linda chose Scrag Mountain in Waitsfield, VT, as their final chapter. It was here they would find their second family in the Gavetts, Mumfords, and Geigers. Nothing gave him more joy than to be out on his tractor blowing snow or down in the sugarhouse boiling with friends.
The essence of GMan can best be expressed by a quote from Willie Nelson:
“First law of thermodynamics – energy cannot be created or destroyed only converted from one form to the other.”
In honor of his life, for all those who encountered his energy and love, keep it going. Pay it forward.
The family wants to honor and thank all the anonymous donors that rolled up their sleeves and gave blood and platelets so he could remain in our lives for another day.
