VETERANS’ SERVICE RECOGNITION BOOK – VOLUME 19 / 7 THE LEGION IN THE COMMUNITY PEI Command loses a Past President - Life of service SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — George Olscamp, believed to be P.E.I.'s oldest veteran of the Second World War, has died. Olscamp celebrated his 102nd birthday on Sept. 21, 2021. He died early Sept. 30 at Charlottetown's Queen Elizabeth Hospital. In between making burial preparations with his four siblings and their families, David Olscamp, took a few moments to share some memories of his father with Salt Wire Network. “You wish every kid had've got a father or grandfather like him – that's the kind of man he was,” said David. “He was very kind, very encouraging. Everything for him was about family.” Though he spent the majority of his life in Summerside, George Olscamp was born and raised in Atholville, N.B. He started his working career as a young man with Provincial Bank but enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy in 1942. When the recruiters found out he had banking experience they assigned him to the pay office in Halifax where he served until 1946. After being discharged from the Navy, Olscamp moved to Summerside where he met and married his wife, Rita Gallant. George Olscamp, P.E.I.'s oldest living war vet, has died at age 102. They had five children: David, Paul, John, Linda (Fitzgerald) and Judy (Driscoll). He had a few careers over the rest of his working life, but he worked for many years, up until his retirement in 1983, at Smallman's of Summerside. Beyond his working career though, Olscamp loved to volunteer his time with his community and he made countless friends and colleagues doing so. One institution, in particular, benefited from his dedication. In fact, David said it was one of the three great loves of his father's life. “He loved his family, he loved his home and his second home, which he loved dearly, was the Royal Canadian Legion in Summerside,” said David. Olscamp was a member of the George. R. Pearkes VC Br. No. 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion for 75 years and served in just about every position the organization has. Among the many accolades he earned through that organization was its highest honour, the Meritorious Service Medal and Palm Leaf, as well as the Minister of Veteran's Affairs Commendation. David said the work his father enjoyed the most was being an advocate for other veterans by helping them apply for and renew the pensions and benefits they were entitled to. He did that as long as he was able. Gordon Perry, president of the Summerside Legion, said that even though Olscamp's health had kept him away physically from the organization for the past few years, he was never far from the thoughts of those who knew him. “He was very much respected, and he's going to be deeply missed,” said Perry. He added that with Olscamp's passing the number of Second World War veterans left in the legion is down to six. In addition to his work with his local legion he also was PEI Command President of the Legion, Olscamp was involved with the Knights of Columbus, the Canadian Cancer Society, Meals on Wheels, the Kinsman and K40 Club. He also received Summerside's Citizen of the Year Award in 1986 and was a recipient of the Rotary Club of Canada's highest honour, the Paul Harris Fellowship Medallion. COLIN MACLEAN JOURNAL PIONEER - Sept. 30, 2021 colin.maclean@journalpioneer.com @JournalPEI
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