Obituary of Donald G Olson

Donald Olson, 71 of Prattsville went with the Lord on May 9, 2013 after injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was born in Brooklyn on March 27th 1942, the son of George and Marion (Prentice) Olson. Don was a graduate of Ralph R. McKee Vocational High School in Staten Island and later joined the U.S. Army Reserves. Don moved to Prattsville in 1967 and was the original proprietor of the Prattsville Inn. He married the love of his life, Nancy on June 8th 1968. The couple would have celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary next month. Don enjoyed several careers including Milk Truck Operator, Darkroom Manager and Pressman at Catskill Mountain Publishing (Mirror Recorder) and eventually retired from Greene County in 2003 where he served as Clerk of Legislature for more than 10 years. Don was an active member of his community where he has served as Prattsville Town Justice for the past 20 years. He was a member of the Prattsville Hose Company for over 25 years and held the positions of President, Chaplain, Commissioner and Chairman. He was also a member of the New York State Magistrates Association and past member of the Mason's Mountain Lodge 5291/Oasis 219. He loved living in Prattsville and worked tirelessly until the time of his death to assist in the rebuilding efforts after Tropical Storms Irene and Lee devastated the small town in 2011. Don was an avid sports fan and loved watching Mets Baseball and Jets Football. He could always be found in the stands cheering on his grandson's team, The Gilboa Wildcats. Don was a loving Husband, usbandHFather and Grandfather and more than anything enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his young grandsons Brett and Johnny. He participated in weekly card games with his longtime friends and enjoyed working in his garden, tinkering in the garage and trips about town. Don was a loyal and compassionate friend, always there to listen and offer his own unique advice. If you knew Don you knew where you stood. He was a humble, genuine and honest man. He had a terrific sense of humor and will be remembered for his joyful smile and infectious laugh (yuk,yuk). Don is survived by his wife Nancy (Van Etten), their son Thomas, also of Prattsville and daughter Amy Jo (Jonathan) Block of Purling, NY, his beloved grandsons Brett Olson, Jonathan Block Jr., step-grand children Tanya and Natasha Tyrrell, his sister Beatrice (Robert) Rasmussen of Palisades, NY, his niece Lori (Bill) Fenner of Emerson, NJ and nephew Richard (Nancy) Rasmussen of Palisades, NY and his three children Becky, Scott and Erik. A memorial service will be held May 18th 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at the Ashland Firehouse, 12094 Route 23 in Ashland under the direction of Decker Funeral Home in Windham. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Donald G. Olson Memorial Fund at any branch of The Bank of Greene County or NBT Bank.