Bruce A. Olson

Bruce A. Olson, an avid golfer for over 50 years, passed away on April 11, 2005, at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills at the age of 68 after a lengthy illness.

He was born in Chicago, IL, on September 27, 1936. Mr. Olson attended the University of Illinois and served in the United States Army. Following his military service, he worked in the Chicago area, where he was active in the Junior Chamber of Commerce. He moved to Orange County in 1970, where he lived for 30 years.

Mr. Olson was a retail liquor dealer in Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach for over 20 years. He was active in club play and tournaments at the Newport Beach Country Club. For many years, Mr. Olson served on the organizational committee for the Toshiba PGA Senior Golf Tournament in Newport Beach. He was known as a good-natured person and, as one good friend said, “He always made us laugh. We laughed so much when we were with him!”

He moved to Fallbrook in 2000. After undergoing two major heart surgeries, he had a heart transplant at Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego in June 2004. His health gradually failed after the transplant.

Mr. Olson is survived by his sister and brother-in-law Karen and Jon Tanner of Fallbrook, CA; daughter and son-in-law Jenny and Jeffrey Wong of Mission Viejo, CA; son and daughter-in-law Charles and Rani Olson of Henderson, NV; son Andrew Olson of Irvine, CA; and grandchildren Morgan and Jenna Wong.

A celebration of his life was held on Saturday, April 16, 2005, at O’Connor Laguna Hills Mortuary. After cremation, the family held a scattering at sea. The family suggests donations be made to the Sharp Health Care Foundation Heart Transplant Fund, 8695 Spectrum Center Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92123 (telephone 858-499-4800).