VINALHAVEN — Ivan Ernest Olson, 70, peacefully entered fully into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, with his loving wife of 39 years, Margaret at his side in his home.  Born in Vinalhaven, December 28, 1951, he was the son of Norma (Whittington) Olson and the late Ivan Haakon Olson, he was a lifelong resident of Vinalhaven. 

He was a graduate of Vinalhaven High School class of 1970 and Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute in 1972.  His love of the ocean was with him his entire life, starting when he and his brother, Mark started lobstering with their father at an early age. They also worked for their father baiting halibut trawls and hand lining. In 1976 he launched his own boat, the ”Two Crows”. That love of the ocean never left him and he went lobstering throughout his life. He also continued to lobster when he could, even after taking a manager’s position for Viking Lumber, where he worked 30 years at their Vinalhaven location.

Known to many of his friends as “Swede,” he was passionate about so much in his life including, his loving wife, his family, his home island of Vinalhaven, his favorite New England football and baseball teams, and the organizations he devoted his time to. He was a 50-year member of the Vinalhaven Volunteer Fire Department serving as both First Assistant Chief (1985-1998) and Deputy Chief (1998-2012). According to town records he had the most training hours for 2005 and 2006. He was a member of the Vinalhaven Lions Club serving as “King Lion” for three years.

Never one to sit idle, he had many hobbies and interests. He was an outdoor enthusiast with a love of fishing, hunting, and taking care of his vegetable garden.  He enjoyed learning about history and the opportunity to discuss it with family and friends.  Despite his outdoorsman persona, he found genuine joy in vintage cars, collecting stamps, and watching his favorite cooking shows, something he did almost to his very last day.  He had a lifetime love of Labrador Retrievers including his canine companion Rosie, who he left behind.

Ivan is survived by his wife of 39 years, Margaret (Pecunies) Olson, who cared for him throughout his illness, his mother, Norma Olson, and brother, Mark E. Olson all of Vinalhaven, Maine; his sister, Nancy Walker and her husband, Richie Walker of Rockport, Maine; sister-in-law Michele Cronin and brother-in-law Paul Cronin of Atlanta, Georgia; as well as several nieces, nephews, and godchildren that kept him young and with a twinkle in his eye.

He was predeceased by his father, Ivan Haakon Olson; nephew Christopher Olson Guptill; maternal grandparents, Percy and Albra (Oakes) Whittington of Vinalhaven; and paternal grandparents, Oscar and Elin (Depuis) Olson of Vinalhaven and originally the country of Norway. 

The family would like to thank Jen Desmond for her extraordinary and compassionate care during his illness as well as the members of the Open Bible Baptist Church, the Vinalhaven Fire Department and his many friends and neighbors for their kindness and support during this difficult time. 

A funeral service will be held Saturday, April 23, 2022, at 11 a.m., at the Union Church, Main Street, Vinalhaven. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home of Rockland, Maine.

While flowers are graciously accepted, those who wish may make memorial contributions to Open Bible Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 465, Vinalhaven, Maine. 

To share a memory or story with Ivan’s family, please visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com