William Randolph Olsen, 84, of South Bristol, passed away on Oct. 11 at Cove’s Edge in Damariscotta, after a long illness.
He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., the fifth child of Kristoffer and Aino (Lehtonen) Olsen, a Norwegian seafaring man and a Finnish Laplander mother. Bill started in the National Guard, then the U.S. Army Air Force, before ending with the U.S. Marine Corps. Doing a tour in South Korea, he served as an aerial photographer, hanging out to get the shot.
After his service, he became a specialist at baby photography. That was followed by many years as a school picture photographer working out of his home in New Jersey. In 1973, he moved his family to Maine, settling first in Friendship, and then in 1986 on Rutherford Island, South Bristol.
He was a member of the Professional Photographers of America, and a Mason with Alna-Anchor Lodge of Damariscotta.
Becoming a boat owner, he joined the Power Squadron, serving as Wawenock Squadron Commander from 1983-1985. For 10 years, Bill was an advocate for residents of nursing homes as a volunteer ombudsman with the Maine long term care program. Most recently, he was an Informed Notary of Maine.
As Bill’s years in service interrupted his education, his daughter Lynne took him back to Brooklyn High School in 2007 where he was finally awarded his high school diploma, and also his yearbook full of photos he had taken!
Bill is survived by his wife of 53 years, Maude Olsen; sons, Christopher K. Olsen and wife Robin Pinkham, Eric T. Olsen, Greg Thompson and Katrina, and Kenneth Thompson; daughters, Lynne Thompson and husband Norman Ingalls, and Arlene and husband Martin Thurston; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
There will be a service in his memory 2 p.m., Sat., Oct. 26 at the Union Church on Rutherford Island.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Miles Home Health & Hospice, c/o Development Office, 35 Miles St., Damariscotta, ME 04543.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
