…Lifelong Tewksbury resident; 63
TEWKSBURY - Alexander D. “Allie” Olson, age 63, a well known person in the Auto Racing circuits of New England and a Tewksbury Businessman, died peacefully surrounded by his family at his Tewksbury home, Saturday morning, January 9, following a courageous fifteen month battle with cancer. He was the beloved husband of Janice L. (Thorne) Olson, with whom he had celebrated a forty-first wedding anniversary this past March 24th.
Allie was born in Woburn in November 1952, one of five children of the late Esther Mae (Shaw) (Olson) Ganshirt and the late Robert E. “Cigars” Olson Sr. He lived in Tewksbury throughout his life, and was a member of the Tewksbury Memorial High School, Class of 1970.
He began his working career at Tewksbury Auto Parts at the age of seventeen. When the yard closed he founded and continued to operate Olson Truck Repair, at the former site of the Tewksbury Metal yard.
Allie, like his father before him, held a lifelong love of auto racing. He began his racing career as a crewmember of Ed Bowley’s “Flying 5” Supermodified racing team, travelling throughout the U.S. and Canada with the team. He would enter the race world as a driver in the Enduro Division, would graduate to the Street Stock Division, and eventually sponsor his own racing team in the 350 Supermodified Division. His career reached its pinnacle when he earned the title of Star Speedway’s Track Champion, 350 Supermodified Division in 1999.
Besides his wife he leaves two daughters, Dawn M. Lavoie and her husband Randall of Greenville, S.C., and Brenda L. Meuse and her husband Joshua of Tewksbury; seven adored grandchildren, Alexis, Jack, Alivia and Ainsley Lavoie, Madeleine, Elliana, and Alexander Meuse; three siblings, Shirley Olson of Milford, NH, Wayne Olson and his spouse Carol Greene of Lowell, Robin Linehan of Newbury; as well as many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends, especially all of the young guys he took under his wing over the years that he loved like one of his own. He was predeceased by his brother Robert E. Olson Jr.
Visiting hours Thursday, Jan. 14, from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. in the Tewksbury Funeral Home, corner of 1 Dewey and 975 Main Sts. (Rte. 38) TEWKSBURY CENTER, Ph. (800 in MA or 978) 851 2950. His Funeral Service will be held Friday, Jan. 15, at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home, followed by burial at Tewksbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the L.G.H. cancer center, c/o Development, 295 Varnum Ave, Lowell, MA 01854 will be appreciated. tewksburyfuneralhome.com