He was born in Queens, NY, on Oct. 10, 1949, the son of Grover and Marge Recher Olsen. He served in the U.S. Navy as a flight engineer, retiring in 1994. Prior to being stationed at Brunswick Naval Air Station, he was also deployed throughout the world, serving in Italy, Spain, Columbia, Iceland, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. He was a veteran of the Vietnam and Gulf Wars. After his retirement from the military, Tom began custodial and transportation work with the Bath School Department and most recently with the Brunswick School Department.
On Sept. 24, 1995, he married Jacqueline Simmons. The couple made their home in Georgetown where they raised their kids, Lindsey and Jake. He adored them and helped them grow into the wonderful people they are today.
Tom enjoyed spending time outdoors with his friends and family. He spent countless hours camping, boating, hiking, kayaking, skiing, walking Olive, and enjoying the solitude of the porch with a good book. Tom also enjoyed cooking and making dinners for Jackie each day before he went to work. He will be remembered for being the grill master. He was, seriously, a jack of all trades, always willing to help and share his wealth of knowledge. Tom especially enjoyed solving the world’s problems with his best buddy, Andrew Werwaiss.
He is survived by his wife Jacqueline of Georgetown; a son, Jake Olsen of Keystone, CO; a daughter, Lindsey McMahan Acker and her husband Justin of Hood River, OR; extended family including his sister-in-law Carolee and her husband Jerard and two nieces, Lily and Jorja of Thornton, NH; a sister, Cathy-Ann Grasso and her husband Ralph of Alabama; and his beloved dog, Olive.
Friends and family can visit 3 to 6 p.m. on Monday, April 6, 2015, at Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal St., Brunswick, ME. Memorial contributions can be made to a local charity or scholarship fund of one’s choice. Memories and condolences can be expressed at www.brackettfuneralhome.com.
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