Olafson, Carl

Mr. Carl Bertil (Bert) Olafson, aged 79 years, passed away on Thursday, September 3, 2009 at Versa Care Centre. He was born on March 20, 1930 in Port Arthur. Bert attended St. James Public School and he graduated from St. Patrick's High School. He worked in Marathon as a Raftsman and later worked in the engine room on various tug boats. He went to B.C. for a short time as an engineer on coastal boats and later returned to Marathon where he met and married Marlene, and also earned his first class ticket. He again left Marathon to work for the Canadian Steamship Lines (CSL) on package freighters and self-unloaders and he worked and studied to get his Chief Engineers Ticket. During his time with CSL, he was their representative at Collingwood when they built their self-unloader, the Louis R. Desmerais, which he sailed for some 20 years. Bert retired from CSL after 25 years and then worked as Relieving Chief for Paterson Shipping on numerous self-unloaders. He later retired from Paterson to spend more time with his wife Marlene at their trailer at Mirror Lake and show off his prize winning Samoyed dogs in Canada and USA. He was a member of the Institute of Marine Engineers. Bert was a talented artist and wood carver and he enjoyed the shooting sports and fishing trips with his friends. Bert loved a good joke and we will miss his quick wit and boundless humour. He is predeceased by his parents Charles and Elsa; his brother Ken (Loraine); nephew Gus and uncles here and in Sweden. Survived by his wife Marlene; brother Lloyd (Phyllis); nephews Charles, Peter and Michael and nieces Jo-Anne, Lois (John) and Lynn. A celebration of Bert's life will be held at St. Joseph's Heritage in the Georgian Room at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 11, 2009 with interment in Sunset Memorial Gardens at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Alzheimer's Society would be appreciated. JENKENS FUNERAL HOME CREMATION AND RECEPTION CENTRE (807) 623-3433