Thomas (Tom) Einar Olafson
June 28, 1935 - January 16, 2023
As published in the January 30, 2023 World-Spectator
Tom was born to Alice and Ingersoll Olafson on June 28, 1935. His siblings include George, Oliver, Kathleen, Leonard, Caroline and Colleen.
Tom grew up on the Holar homestead and attended school in Tantallon.
He married his sweetheart Grace Daniel on November 5, 1959 and had three children, Jackie, Carrie and Kurt.
They lived together on the Olafson farm and moved to Saltcoats in 1961. They returned to Tantallon in 1966 into their newly built home where they continued to reside until Tom’s passing on January 16, 2023.
Tom started work at the Rocanville mine in 1970 and worked there for 30 years and retired in 2000.
Previously he worked with his mom and dad on the home farm with his brothers and sisters and he had special memories of harvest with the thrashing gangs.
Other jobs were hauling gravel with Schentag Construction and working at a turkey farm for Bruce and Joyce Inglis.
Tom enjoyed operating all sorts of equipment but especially scoop trams underground at the mine.
From an early age Tom loved sports. He played and coached baseball and hockey and was an avid curler.
He continued his passion for sports in later years following his beloved Riders, Leafs and curling. Highlights included attending the 2013 Rider Grey Cup victory in Regina, as well as the 2003 first outdoor NHL game in Edmonton.
Tom and Grace had Rider season tickets for 48 years. He was much relieved when Kurt and Jonathan took over their seats.
Tom had a lifelong love of Ford cars. He ordered them fully loaded. He also loved high tech electronics and on occasion resembled a TSN camera man at many family events.
Epic camping trips from coast to coast with extended family were a summer ritual.
In later years Tom and Grace enjoyed socializing and suppers with friends at the Hut.
Tom was a quiet, kind and gentle man who had a soft spot for animals.
He also enjoyed a good joke.
His biggest love was family. His wife, Grace, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the focus of his life.
He was predeceased by parents Ingie and Alice (Warriner) Olafson, father - and mother-in-law George and Vera Daniel, brother George Olafson, sisters Kathleen Lucas, Caroline Godwin, sisters-in-law Beverley Olafson, Shirley Olafson, brother-in-law Stan Knuttila, and son-in-law Jack Arthur.
He was survived by wife Grace (Daniel) Olafson, daughters Jackie (Scott) Sabo, Carrie (Marten) Bood, son Kurt (Tamela) Olafson, grandchildren Jacoba, Jonathan (Jill), Marika (Adam), Jesse (Chelsea), Shaelyn (Brett), Kamen, Joey, Carrie (Trevor), great-grandchildren Emma, Jacob, Shelby, Kimmi, and Paige, brother Oliver (Gladys), brother Lennard, sister Colleen Knuttila, sister-in-law Judy, brother-in-law Stan Lucas, brother-in-law Barry Godwin, brother-in-law Bob (Marlene) Daniel, numerous uncles, aunties, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A public visitation was held on Friday, January 20, 2023 at the Peter Carscadden Funeral Chapel, Esterhazy.
The funeral service was held on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at the Tantallon Rink Hall with Jean Istace officiating with music by Rachel Dancsok.
Interment followed in the Holar Cemetery. Pallbearers were Jacoba Bood, Jonathan Bood, Jill Bood, Marika Bood, Jesse Olafson, Shaelyn Olafson and Kamen Olafson.
If friends so desire donations may be made to the Tantallon Rink Hall.
Friends may visit www.pcarscaddenfs.ca to leave messages of condolence for the family.
Peter Carscadden Funeral Service, Esterhazy were in care of arrangements (306) 745-3304.
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