NISKAYUNA- Lawrence "Larry" George Olsen, 82, passed away peacefully after a long illness on November 1, 2023. He is survived by his wife, Mary Saraceno Olsen, three children, Neil (Vickie) Olsen, Kristen (Jeff) Palmer, and Erica (Joel) Palmer, six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. He was predeceased by the mother of his children, Linda Bacon Olsen, in 1983.
Born in Savannah, GA on September 1, 1941 to Ernest and Daisy Olsen, Larry was the fourth youngest of five siblings, all of whom have predeceased him. In Savannah, he graduated from Jenkins High School and Armstrong College of Savannah. He received a degree in Accounting and Economics from Georgia Southern College in Statesboro, GA.
A Certified Public Accountant by profession, he spent most of his career in financial management within the retail food industry, primarily Piggly Wiggly Southern in Vidalia, GA, PriceChopper Supermarkets in Schenectady, NY, and the Food Marketing Institute in Washington, D.C. While serving as CFO of PriceChopper, he was on the Board of Hospice for Schenectady, NY, and Associate Board of Justices for Siena College.
As a long-time member of Shaker Ridge Country Club, Larry enjoyed golf with his friends and associates. Born and raised as a Southerner, he enjoyed his 40+ years as a New Yorker.
Funeral services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Paul Anderson Youth Home in Vidalia, GA (https://payh.org/).
To share a memory of Larry or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.