Our good friend and colleauge, Bill Olson, passed away in sleep in NE Pennsylvania. Bill was living in Lacawanna County, close to his brother Ed and sister in law Sheryl. According to the information available to me, Bill died in his sleep at his apartment a few days ago, approximately May 27, 2017. There will be a small memorial service conducted Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at 1:00PM in the Shady Lane Cemetery, Shady Lane Road, South Abington Township, Pennsylvania.
For those that do not know, it was Bill Olson that started the Flora of New Jersey Project. It was Bill’s idea, why it exists and how it is structured. It was Bill’s initiative that first brought botanists from around the region to discuss how we, as botanical professionals, could bring New Jersey’s flora into the modern age.
The family is obviously shaken and struggling to figure out what to do, so messages and offers of support would certainly be welcomed. Send condolences to:
Edward and Sheryl Marionni, 110 Brookside Rd., Dalton, PA 18414.
Rest in Peace Bill,
Joe Arsenault, FNJP Chair