Jon A. Olson

NEWTONVILLE - Jon A. Olson, 75, passed away on February 11, 2013, at the Hospice Inn at St. Peter's Hospital.

Raised in Watervliet, NY, Jon was the son of the late Carl and Elizabeth Olson. He earned his Bachelor's degree from Siena College and his Master's degree from SUNY Albany's Graduate School of Public Affairs. Jon worked for the State of New York for 35 years. The last 26 were with the NYS Teachers' Retirement System, where he retired in 1997 as the Director of Personnel.

Jon is survived by his best friend, sole mate and beloved wife of 48 years, Marian; his favorite and only daughter Mary Beth of New York City; his good buddy and grand puppy, Wesley; his brother Carl of Sarasota, FL; his sister Betty Ann (Rose) of Burnt Hills, NY; several cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Jon spent his free time pursuing various passions and interests. He was an avid Civil War buff and member of many local historical societies. Jon was a member of the Capital District Civil War Round Table (Albany) and a founding member of the Civil War Buffs, a local Civil War discussion group. He also was a member of the Capital District Senior Softball ("Old Timers") League for many years. Jon and his wife were oenophiles, enjoying area wine tastings and touring the wine trails of the Finger Lakes. He was also a long-suffering Boston Red Sox and Buffalo Bills fan.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 10:00 am at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 498 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham. Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at New Comer Cannon Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. Contributions in Jon's memory may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Program at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065 (online at www.mskcc.org/giving) or to The Community Hospice of Albany, 445 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205.