George E. Olsen

George E. Olsen, 82, of Calverton, formerly of Smithtown, passed away on October 20, 2017.

Beloved husband for 56 years of Carolee. Loving father of Jennifer and Chris. George began a

long and decorated service career in 1954 in the United States Naval Construction Battalion

Reserves, better known as the SeaBees, a battalion of construction tradesmen capable of any

type of construction and trained to drop their tools and take up their weapons at a moment’s notice.

In 1958 he entered the Nassau County Police Department, where he served as a patrolman until

1960, when he was drafted by the United States Army. Olsen was promoted directly from basic

training to The Honor Guard, 3rd U.S. Infantry, known as “The Old Guard.” He participated in

wreath-laying ceremonies at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery,

Virginia, marched in President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural parade, and performed as part of

the U.S. Army Drill Team, executing precision routines with bayonet-tipped rifles. His Army

service was completed in 1962, at which point he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and

returned to Nassau Police headquarters in Mineola, where he remained for 23 years, serving in

highway patrol, fatal accident investigation, and ultimately fingerprinting, retiring in 1981. In

addition, George was a professional carpenter - he built the house in which he raised his family

and ran a successful cabinetry business with a reputation for creating fine and lasting home

furnishings. Later in his building career, he switched from wood to metal, becoming a CNC

machinist and mastering the technology used to help build enormous geodesic dome structures.

In his free time, George was an avid fisherman and enjoyed boating and fishing the Long Island

Sound with his family and friends. Viewings will be held on Tuesday, October 24, at Tuthill-Mangano

Funeral Home, 406 East Main Street, Riverhead. Visiting hours will be from 2-4pm & 7-9pm.

A prayer service will be held at the Funeral Home on Tuesday at 8pm. George will be laid to rest

Wednesday in Calverton National Cemetery with Military Honors. Family and friends will meet at the

Funeral home at 12noon on Wednesday and a procession will follow to Calverton National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to East End Hospice/Kanas Center in Quogue.