Harold Parker Olson

Harold Parker Olson, husband of the late Elizabeth C. Olson, of Covenant Village in Cromwell died on January 20, 2010. Born on November 9, 1911 in Wethersfield, CT, he was the son of Alexander and Ellen Herriander Olson. Harold had one sister, Virginia Perry of West Hartford who died in 2007 at the age of 96. Harold's father died when Harold was six months old at which time the family moved to Harford where his mother worked to support both Harold and Virginia. Harold went to Lawrence Street School and H.P.H.S. and then began his career working for the state of Connecticut. Harold served his country as a member of B Troop Horse Cavalry of the Connecticut National Guard. In 1940, he married Elizabeth Betty Clarke who predeceased him in 2005. In 1944, Harold and Betty moved to Berlin with their two children, John and Judy. They were both active in Berlin Congregational Church, serving as deacons and teaching Sunday School, later transferring to the Kensington Congregational Church. Harold enjoyed woodworking. He built the house in Berlin where the family lived for over forty years. He also enjoyed gardening and yard work as well as stamp collecting and a good game of cards or chess. Harold retired from the State Welfare Department in 1971. He and Betty spent their winter months in Florida and when back in Connecticut, he worked part-time in the Probate Courts as a conservator. In 1987, they moved from their home in Berlin to Covenant Village in Cromwell. He was a lifelong member of the Masons. He is survived by his son John and his wife Helen of Colchester, Vermont, his daughter Judy Hall and her husband Allan of Kensington, Connecticut; four grandchildren and their spouses, Christopher and Shelley Olson, Jennifer and Frank Albert, Cathleen Olson and Jay Conroy, and Allison Hall and Tim Johnson; nine great-grandchildren, Jonathan Albert, Lauren Albert, Erin Olson, Olivia Johnson, Ryan Olson, Elise Albert, Nathaniel Johnson, Carter Conroy, and Evan Olson; several nieces and nephews, including a niece, Linda Thorne, who was very caring towards him. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 2:00 PM at the Pilgrim Manor Chapel in Cromwell. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Benevolent Care Fund, 52 Missionary Rd., Cromwell, CT 06416 or to the Kensington Congregational Church, 312 Percival Ave., Kensington, CT 06037. Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home is charge of arrangements.