Olash, Felix Albert, M.D.,

died on February 17, 2017 at his home in Louisville, Kentucky. He was 96. His wife of 63 years, Jane Perego Olash, and his sisters, Matilda Olash and Josephine Lecnar, preceded him in death.

Al was born in Lucerne, Pennsylvania on December 22, 1920, to Bartholomew and Caroline Olash, the third of four children and the son of a coal miner. His family had little means and Al had to work even as a child, but he found time for adventure with his friends and classmates. He attended the University of Scranton and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1942. He went on to attend Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia where he received his medical doctor degree. He completed his residency program in internal medicine at Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan. He served as a flight surgeon, attaining the rank of Captain, in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, primarily stationed in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. He began practicing medicine in Canandaigua, New York, where he met his future wife, Jane. They married on July 11, 1953 and moved to Louisville, Kentucky shortly thereafter. There, Al began a long and successful internal medicine practice. He was respected and loved by his patients, working at many hospitals in Louisville and providing house calls to his patients. His mantra to all his patients was to be active, keep moving, and live a healthy lifestyle. He was a community leader in the practice of cardiology, performing the first electrical cardioversion in Louisville. He was an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Louisville for over thirty years. His heart sound classes were very popular among the U of L medical students. Al was a member of the Kentucky Heart Association for many years and served as its president in the mid 1980's. He continued to be physically and mentally active by playing golf, reading medical journals, and enjoying Sudoku puzzles even into his nineties.

Al was devoted to his wife and children. He was a strict taskmaster to his children and expected them to succeed in school, understanding the importance of education. He set an example for them as a dedicated and hard working professional, never missing a day of work. Two of his sons, Bart and Albert, followed in his footsteps and practiced medicine with their father for a number of years before Al retired. Al had many diverse interests outside of his professional career, which he shared with Jane and his children. He was one of the founders of the Louisville Ski Club and enjoyed snow skiing with Jane and the children. He was an accomplished carpenter, building all kinds of things, from a working boat to a two-story playhouse for the children. He was an avid golfer throughout his life. Al and Jane belonged to Big Spring Country Club for almost 50 years, and they played in many golf tournaments over the years. He and Jane traveled to Europe on a number of bicycling tours, visiting France, the Netherlands, and Germany by bicycle. Al loved cars and cherished his restored Jaguars and his DeLorean sports car. He was also a consummate shopper and bargain hunter, and was not afraid to make a fashion statement is his dapper sports coats and hats. Al had artistic gifts as well, enjoying oil painting both in his younger years and later during his retirement.

Al's children have many fond memories of the family vacations, especially the three week trip across America in a motorhome when most of the children were in their early teens, with stops at all the major national parks and historic sites. The family also made yearly trips to Jane's family lake cottage on Canandaigua Lake, New York. Al taught the children how to water ski and sail on the lake, and the family enjoyed being outside together from morning until night. During the winters, Al took the family on ski vacations in Michigan, teaching the children how to ski and them pushing them to their limits on the expert slopes.

Al Olash leaves to forever cherish his memory: his sister Jean Murphy, his six children, Carol Olash (Eric Dorge), Karen Olash Emmanuel (Robert), Bart Olash, M.D. (Jeanne), F. Albert Olash, Jr., M.D., Mary Katherine Olash Marshall (Carl) and John Edwin Olash (Tara), fourteen grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Al was a devout Catholic and a member of Holy Trinity Church. A memorial Mass will be held at Holy Trinity Church (501 Cherrywood Rd, Louisville) on Friday, February 24, 2017 at 10:00AM. The family members would like to express their sincere thanks to all the caregivers from Home Instead, especially Ms. Applelonia Reed, who provided kind and compassionate care to both Jane and Al at the end of their lives. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association: Louisville Division (www.heart.org) or to a charity of your choice.