Erling Olsen

Richmond Hill

Erling Godtfred Olsen, 88, died on May 14, 2017, in Richmond Hill, Georgia, under the care of Hospice Savannah.

Born in Tonsberg, Norway, on April 5, 1929, he survived the invasion of Nazi Germany and was part of the Norwegian Resistance movement. He later became a Merchant Seaman on a freighter out of Tonsberg and traveled around the world.

After coming to America in 1949, Erling married Dolores A. Basche in 1950 and they had 3 daughters. Joining the US Army in November, 1953, he served two years’ active duty and three years as a reservist before being honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 1959. He worked several jobs as a machinist, baker, bus driver for the Half Hollow Hills School District in Long Island, NY, helped run Plain and Fancy Flea Market, and volunteered for the Melville NY Fire Department for 8 years.

Erling married Christine Klempka and in 1988 they retired and moved to Sunbury, GA, where he was one of the first volunteer fire fighters in the Sunbury Fire Department.

He is survived by his 3 daughters Margaret Olsen, Patricia Bealin, and Greta Olsen, as well as 6 grandchildren; Christopher Pace, Michael Pace, Mark Pace, Megan Walker, Elizabeth Bealin, and Jessica Bealin, and 3 great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 20, 2017, beginning at 11 a.m., at Carter Funeral Home Bryan Chapel.