Retired North Haven Police Detective Donald A. Olson, Sr., 76, of North Haven passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at the St. Raphael campus/Yale-New Haven Hospital. He was the husband of the late Sandra Shove Olson. Donnie was born in Shelton on July 25, 1939; son of the late Harold A. and Ella Hoard Olson; served his country faithfully in the US Navy on the Naval ship Dashiell and served on the North Haven Police Department from 1963 until retiring as a Detective in 2001. Donnie enjoyed photography, the UCONN Women’s basketball and taking his many road trips with his friends. Father of Beth Devoe (Roger) and Donald A. Olson, Jr. (Laurie). Grandfather of Ryan Olson (Stephanie), Justin, Tyler and Scott Olson, Josh and Amanda Devoe. Brother of David M. Olson (Elaine) and the late Harold and Clinton Olson. Brother-in-law of Martha Kevorkian. Also survived by several nieces and nephews.
His funeral procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue Wednesday morning at 9:30. A Funeral Service will be conducted in St. John’s Episcopal Church at 10:00 AM. Interment with full military honors will follow in the North Haven Center Cemetery. The visiting hours will be Tuesday from 4 to 8 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929.
Beth, Rog, Donny, Laurie, Uncle Dave, Elaine, this opens up old wounds for me (my dad's passing). Uncle Donnie was probably the funniest, kindest and one of the most genuinely nice guys that I've ever known in my life. I'm eternally grateful that I was able to re-connect our relationship so later on in our lives. I will truly miss him and can only say that my dad an him are already planning to go out and "have a few". My absolute condolences to all of you. I love you all. Dave.
Please except my prayers for the family, fellow officers and friends. I have not seen Olie as many shipmates on the USS Dashiell DD659 called him. Many fond memories as we shared emails and jokes even though we had not seen each other for about 55+ years.
RIP my friend.
My deepest condolences. Don was forever a bright star within the walls of NoHPD and beyond. EVERYBODY knew him. From the strike line at P & W to my time in the Detective Bureau, he was sure to put a smile on my face daily with his cute and corny jokes. "Did I ever show you my Pride and Joy?" I always admired what a grand historian he was as well. His beautiful soul will be missed.
Donny you will be missed. Had some fantastic times in the 60s.
So sorry to hear of the passing of such a wonderful man. I remember him well growing up. Always a smile for everyone. May his spirit always be with his family to protect them now as he also did in his life.
Truly an all around great man. I treasure the memories from my youth with him. Always found money behind our ears. Love ya Uncle Don't.
Truly an all around great man. I treasure the memories from my youth with him. Always found money behind our ears. Love ya Uncle Don.
Cousin/Uncle Don was a great man. He will always be remembered as kind, generous, and witty. He always had a story to share or a magic trick to amaze the kids. We will miss him greatly.
Our hearts and prayers are with you Beth, Don and family
Love my Uncle Don more then I can express! Many many childhood memories that we'll cherish! I will have poached eggs in his memory tomorrow. Say hi to my dad from us ❤️ Love & strength to cousin Fluff & Ollie!
Don will always be remembered as a happy, wonderful man.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.
A great man. He will be missed. Sorry for your loss… God bless…
You were such a kind and funny man. We will miss you. Rest easy, friend, you are at peace now.
I had the pleasure of working with Donald Olson (aka Ollie) for almost 30 years. He was an excellent police officer who cared for his community and fellow officers with all his heart.
A model officer to all of us with regard to dedication and integrity. RIP Detective Olson.
Thanks for looking out for me when I was hired on with NoHPD. Please continue to look after us from heaven.
God must have needed a little humor around heaven. May he rest in peace in the arms of Jesus and be re-united with Sandy and his other love ones that were called home before him. God bless the Olson family.
Uncle/Cousin Don always put a smile on my face! I have fond memories with him and I will always cherish them. He will be missed deeply. My condolences to the Olson Family, Love you guys!
Detective Olson was a great man. He spoke often to the kids at the North Haven schools. He will be missed. Sorry Josh, Justin and Tyler for your loss.
We had the pleasure of getting to know Donnie a few years ago and what a pleasure this guy was. Always there to put a smile on your face and a laugh with endless witty remarks and really funny jokes. The Olson family is the nicest most genuine of people I've ever met and had the pleasure of getting to know over the years. Donnie you will be sadly missed. I hope they have a BBQ Pork sandwich ready for you in heaven. Our thoughts and prayers are with with the Olson family.
Terribly sad for the loss, Uncle/Cousin Don was one of the kindest and most genuine people I have ever known. Such a good soul and a loving family man who loved his community. I will always hold onto the memories of him putting me on his lap and showing me all of his magic tricks as a child, and as I got older all of the advice he would give me on many occasions, especially during game dinners at poppy’s & Grandmas. My deepest love to you Uncle Don and family, I am eternally grateful to have had you in my life.
To Don's immediate family Beth, Donny Jr. (Little Ole), Brother Dave, and every member of his extended family. Nancy and I send our deepest condolences. I had the extreme pleasure of working with Don for my 33 years on the No.H.P.D. and after retirement we remained friends. His quick wit, corny jokes and bubbling personality will be missed tremendously. May God bless him and keep him safe on his final journey
My condolences to the family. Big Don was respected by that knew him especially those of us that had honor to work with him. He taught me so much. Don always had a joke for all that would listen. I will miss his friendship. He was one of a kind. RIP
Sending prayers of healing to the entire family. I am a friend of Janine and Tammy and had the opportunity to meet Donnie several times. He is a very funny man and I enjoyed knowing him. He is in God's hands and is smiling over all of you. He will be missed.
Loved seeing Don at my dad's Navy ship reunion. Our USS Dashiell family will truly miss him!
Loved seeing Don at my dad's Navy ship reunion. Our USS Dashiell family will truly miss him!
Donnie was a good friend from the moment we met, that's just how he was… Non-stop wit and a heart of gold. Rest in Peace, Brother. Heartfelt sympathy to the entire Olson family.
I remember Donald From coming to the Either Junior High or High School to talk to us when we were younger . He was a beautiful person and will be missed by Many . God Speed ….
To Don's entire family. Karen and I send our deepest condolences. I've known Donny even before he joined the Police Department when he worked with my father. He and Sandy would come to our house for dinner on a regular basis. Then I had the opportunity to work with Donny for 30 years. He was a compassionate person and I enjoyed his humor and magic. When you thought you got the last laugh on him, think again, he would get a grin on his face and then turn it around and he got the last laugh. We also enjoyed meeting him at Panera's on a weekly basis where he would hold court with all his friends and patrons. Rest in Peach, Don. We will miss you.
"Not, how did he die, but how did he LIVE? Not, what did he gave, but what did he give? These are the units to measure the worth, of a man as a man, regardless of his birth. Nor what was his church, nor what was his creed? But had he befriended those really in need? Was he ever ready, with words of good cheer? To bring back a smile, to banish a tear? Not what did the sketch in the newspaper say, but how many are sorry when he passed away?" He helped and cheered SO many, the world is short a great man, but Heaven is greater today.
Full, many a flower is born to blush unseen and waste it's beauty on the desert air.(Thomas Gray).
Rosanna and I wish to express our deepest sympathy to the Olson family.
Don was a gem of a human being, a wonderful father and outstanding police officer.He made our years in the North Haven school system worth while in so many ways. His professionalism and wonderful sense of humor combined for a delightful human being. He will be remembered for his kindness and full life. He certainly made all of us better people. Always ready to help and always with a solution to any problem.
We will miss him terribly. May his family cherish his memory . We certainly will.Thank you Don. Rest in Peace..
Being able to spend time with you last week I was a blessing.
Being able to hold your hand and tell you that I love you is a treasure that I will always hold close to my heart.
What a wonderful man, we have lost a great human being! Our prayers are with the family.
Donny I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I used to see him at Panera's in the morning and he always gave me such a big hug- He was such a kind man. My prayers go out to you and your family.
Tammy Treiber