PORT GREVILLE – Olaf H. Larsen, LARSEN, age 81, of Port Greville, Cumberland County, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 11, 2015, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Apple River, he was a son of the late Karl and Mary Alice (Fields) Larsen.
Second to being surrounded by family at the dining room table, his favourite place was in the cockpit of an airplane. After a stint in the Royal Canadian Navy, Olaf gave up the seas for the skies and re-mustered to the Royal Canadian Air Force. After his release, he worked for a number of commercial airlines as a Flight Engineer including Quebec Air, Nation Air, and Icelandic Air. His ultimate goal was to one day be the Flight Engineer on a 747.
Olaf gave up flying for a while and along with the help of his adored son Trevor, he operated Larsen’s Esso in Port Greville for 6 years. Together they spent many hours pumping gas and socializing with the customers in the community, but apparently he still had the flying bug and he sold the store and back to the skies he went.
Olaf worked away from home for the next number of years commuting between Port Greville and Montreal at every opportunity until he finally achieved his ultimate goal and became a fully qualified Flight Engineer on the 747. He was then ready to finally retire and moved permanently back to Port Greville.
Another of Olaf’s passions in life was his cars, especially his antiques, including his current 1948 Chrysler, which he proudly displayed every year in the Port Greville Field Day Parade. He took immense pleasure in his grandchildren and they will miss him greatly.
He is survived by his soul mate and wife of 61 years, Estelle (Allen); a daughter, Merrilee, Camden, Maine; a son, Trevor (Rhonda), Fall River; brother, Clem (Phyllis), Brandon, Man.; sisters, Herdis, Peace River, Alta.; Edith (Art), Advocate Harbour; Laura Dawn (David), Truro; grandsons, Joseph and Ethan Larsen, Fall River; Iain Larsen-Leavins, Camden and granddaughter, Eliza Larsen-Leavins, Camden; several nieces and nephews and many close friends near and far.
He was predeceased by brother, Peter; granddaughter, Alice Larsen and many special sister and brother in laws.
Visitation 6-8 pm on Thursday, July 16, 2015 at Smith’s Funeral Home, Parrsboro. Funeral 2 pm on Friday, July 17, 2015 at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Fox River, Rev. Dawn Leger officiating. Reception to follow at the FPW Fire Hall in Port Greville.
The family would like to take this opportunity to thank the nurses on the 2nd floor of All Saints Hospital in Springhill, where Olaf spent his final days, for their care, kindness, and compassion to the family in the final hours.
Memorial donations may be made to the Fundy Shore Auto Club. Arrangements entrusted to Smith’s Funeral Home, Parrsboro. Online condolences at www.smithsfuneralhome.com .