News Summary
Harry O. Olsen, Jr., a World War II veteran and successful businessman, passed away at the age of 100 in Warwick, RI. Born in Providence, he made significant contributions both in military service and his professional life, leaving behind a legacy of family and achievements. The funeral is scheduled for September 12, 2025.
Warwick, RI – Harry O. Olsen, Jr., a revered World War II veteran and successful businessman, passed away peacefully at his home on September 5, 2025, surrounded by family. He was 100 years old, celebrating his milestone birthday just two months prior in July.
Olsen was a lifelong resident of Warwick, having moved there when he was 10 years old. Born on July 3, 1925, in Providence, Rhode Island, he was the son of Harry O. Olsen and Randi Johnsen Olsen. He spent his early childhood on Staten Island before returning to Rhode Island, where he later attended Broad Street School, Roger Williams Junior High School, and Hope High School.
In his youth, Harry demonstrated a remarkable sense of duty, enlisting in the military during World War II, which caused him to sacrifice his final six months of high school. He served as a seaman first class with the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Reserve, primarily patrolling Narragansett Bay. Shortly after, at the age of 18 in 1943, he joined the Merchant Marine, where he served for over three years. During this time, he achieved the rank of quartermaster, deploying in both the Atlantic and Pacific war zones while transporting crucial supplies and occasionally acting as a decoy against enemy submarines. In recognition of his dedicated service, he received a Congressional Gold Medal in July 2022.
After the war, Olsen concluded his time with the Merchant Marine as chief quartermaster on various cargo and passenger ships. He married his high school sweetheart, Jacqueline A. Sweeney, in 1947 and together they established a family home in the Edgewater Beach section of Warwick.
Olsen’s professional journey began as a draftsman and junior engineer at Scott Testers and Pittsburgh Plate in Providence. He later joined Plastic Mold & Engineering Company in 1948, where his exceptional talent led him to become Vice President over a span of 30 years. In 1978, he transitioned to Superior Plastics Company in Cumberland, RI, serving as General Manager and Vice President of Manufacturing until his retirement in 1995. Throughout his career, he held several patents for specialty medical and surgical devices that continue to be utilized today.
Outside of work, Olsen had a profound love for sailing and boating. His passion began early as he built his first working sailboat before the age of 10. In 1991, he obtained his U.S. Coast Guard Marine Officers Master License for Auxiliary and Sail Vessels in U.S. Coastal Waters. Together with Jacqueline, he enjoyed sailing in the Caribbean and traveling across Europe and Asia in their RV. He was also known for his skills in designing and building furniture and toys using repurposed nautical equipment, along with an interest in sketching, painting, and model ship building. In his later years, he collaborated with his daughter-in-law to document his adventures in a book.
Olsen was an active member of numerous organizations, including the Demolays, the Boy Scouts, various yacht clubs, and the Steamship Historical Society of America. He is survived by his three children: M. Jessie MacLean (and husband Kenneth), Marie O. Palmer (and husband Douglas), and J. Christian Olsen (and wife Janice), along with eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind a niece and nephew. He was predeceased by his daughter, Randi C. LaRoche.
The funeral for Harry O. Olsen, Jr. is scheduled for September 12, 2025, beginning at 8:30 AM at The Urquhart-Murphy Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 AM at Immaculate Conception Church in Cranston, with interment at Quidnessett Memorial Cemetery in North Kingstown. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on September 11, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to VNA of Care New England.
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Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
