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Bruce OLSON Obituary

OLSON, Bruce R. 82, of St. Pete Beach, FL, passed away peacefully, January 24, 2024. He was born to Robert and Eve (Johnson) in Minneapolis, MN. Bruce attended Gustavus Adolphus College and had a 30 plus year career as a pilot for Northwest Airlines where he was proud to be an early Captain of the Boeing 757. He loved watching sports, especially football, hockey and golf. His day wasn't complete until he finished the crossword from the paper. Bruce enjoyed taking care of the neighbors' condos and cars when they were away to make sure they were ready for them when they returned. Bruce is survived by two sons, Chris (Karin) of Minneapolis, MN and Matt of Hilo, HI; two granddaughters, Annika and Greta; two brothers, Willy and Larry; and former wife, Karyl. He is preceded in death by wife, Gayle; sister, Kathy; and granddaughter Amanda. A celebration of life will be held at HarbourSide clubhouse on Friday, April 12, 5-8 pm. There will be a livestream of the ceremony. Please RSVP to Chris: [email protected]. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Tampa Bay Times on Feb. 4, 2024.

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3 Entries

John & Joan Gogay

April 7, 2024

We first met Bruce when we moved into Building F at Harbourside, St.Pete Beach. We were a very cosmopolitan building with people from U.S.A. Canada, Newfoundland and the U.K. we soon became great friends with our housewarming parties and getting to know each other. We all had wonderful times together and we certainly in later years enjoyed spending two months at a time there. Bruce became a very good friend, keeping an eye on our condo and our car. He would come and meet us at the airport and keep us up on the latest local news. We had many happy times together especially at our local beach bar, Woodys, happy, happy days. It was wonderful to have Bruce come and stay with us in England so we could show him our lovely Kent countryside. We took him up to the British Open Golf Championship where we got talking to another couple who strangely were also named Joan & John and Bruce spent a few days enjoying their company, later to visit him in Florida and so they were renamed Joan No.2 & John No. 2.!,!
We were also happy to meet up with Chris and Karin when they came to England . We were so sorry to hear of Bruce´s declining health and will always remember the happy times we spent together. RIP dear friend till we meet again xx

Patricia Kurusz

February 7, 2024

Bruce was the first person I met when I moved to Harborside. He was incredibly kind and helpful to me. One year my oven broke on Thanksgiving morning. I called Bruce to see if he knew of any repair companies that would come out on a holiday.He graciously let me use his oven to cook multiple dishes that day. That´s the way Bruce was. A gentleman and so helpful. He spoke about his family lovingly but that he did not miss cold winters. I will truly miss that Bruce is no longer with us, but I will always remember what a wonderful man he was. Condolences to his family.

Maggie & Norm Hoptrough )UK)

February 5, 2024

Bruce was a close and dear friend to us during our 30 years in Harbourside. We spent many a happy time at Woodys, with Norm playing golf and he was always so friendly and inviting to all our family when they were visiting us on holiday in Florida from the UK. Just one of many pictures of Bruce with our grandchildren at Halloween. Bruce will be sorely missed rest in peace dear friend Maggie & Norm UK

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