Melburne Olney

Olney, Melburne

Rochester: Passed away on, February 9, 2016 at the age of 90. Predeceased by his wife, Violet (Peg); son, David; sister, Rowene; and parents, William and Pearl Olney.

He is survived by his son, Donald (Cheryl) Olney; daughter, Kim (William) Olney Winfrey; daughter-in-law, Anne Markel; grandchildren, Jennifer (Steve) Olney Smith, Maeve Olney, Jeffrey Winfrey, Noah Winfrey, Wyatt Olney, and Caesar (Deanna) Sams; great-grandchildren, Maya, CJ, and Stella Sams; and caregiver and friend, Rita Jopp.

After a childhood of going to one room schools with his mother as his teacher, Mel Olney quit school at 16 and left home to work on various farms to help support his family. Later married to Violet Drake, they had two boys - Donald and David, and continued to work together on farms. Mel later had a wide variety of jobs - including maintenance work at Penfield Schools, and Sibley's department store. Mel and Violet (Peg) were divorced for a few years, and Mel married Nadine Wright and moved to Arizona where their daughter Kim was born.

In Arizona he was an auto mechanic, school maintenance manager, Arizona State Trooper, and even a short stint as a Tuscon bus driver. In a twist of fate, Mel and Violet (Peg) were re-married in 1972. They opened The Happy House restaurant in Oracle, AZ. They later came back to Rochester, and Mel ended up working at The Toycrafter, making wooden toys with son Don for many years until his retirement. He cared for Violet for several years as her health deteriorated, and then began several years of various health problems. His lifelong ability to learn and adapt to almost anything served him well as he aged, and with the help of his family, and Elder One, he continued to learn and adapt to the limitations of aging. He was known for his whole life for his smile, his great attitude, and his stories about his 90 years of creative life!

Interment of ashes in the Spring at Elmwood Cemetery, Carter Rd., Perinton, NY. Contributions may be made to Elder One, 355 North Park Drive, Rochester, NY 14609.