Obituary for Leo Olshefskie
Leo Stanford Olshefskie, age 82, passed away peacefully in his sleep and surrounded by his loved ones on December 13, 2022, in Pensacola, Florida, after battling lung cancer. Leo was born on July 15, 1940, in Newark, New Jersey to the late Leon and Patricia Olshefskie. He was the second oldest of four sons; his older brother Anthony Olshefskie preceded him in death.
Leo was a proud Veteran of the United States Navy, having dedicated his life to service for over 20 years. He served as a Boiler Technician Supervisor and received numerous unit commendations and ribbons. He participated in the Vietnam War aboard the USS John F. Kennedy and received the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Commendation Gallantry Cross, the Vietnam Service Medal with Two Bronze Stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Ribbon for his wartime experience. Leo retired from the military with the rank of Petty Officer First Class.
Leo’s military training assisted him with obtaining his State of New Jersey Blue Seal Engineer’s License and his States of New Jersey & Florida Class A License. He was a proud semi-truck driver from 1994 – 2000 and would often visit family in Florida on his routes. These visits would become some of his grandchildren’s fondest memories as they loved riding in his semi-truck.
After retirement, Leo moved to Pensacola, Florida to be closer to his children and their families. He enjoyed playing disc golf and partaking in daily cribbage matches with his children and grandchildren. Leo was also an avid dog lover and hardly went anywhere without his two dogs, Addie and Rox. He loved making people laugh, usually accomplishing this with one of his memorable jokes or stories. He almost always had a smile on his face and will be remembered for being the life of the party. Leo adored his many great-grandchildren, and would always send them home with lollipops, candy, and soda after visits.
Leo is survived by his brothers, Paul Olshefskie and Carl Olshefskie (Merry Ann), his children, Lee Olshefskie, Laura Gundersen, James Michael Olshefskie, David Olshefskie, Christopher L. Olshefskie (Jennifer), and Shawna Lowe, his ten grandchildren, Jessica Showalter (Adam), Saraya Olshefskie (Ryan), Bryan Gundersen (Erin), Brandon Gundersen, Joshua Olshefskie, Kayla Olshefskie, Brittany Lopez (Matthew), Christopher T. Olshefskie, Dawson Olshefskie and Jaden Olshefskie, as well as his ten great-grandchildren, Timothy Doyle, McKensie Doyle, Lincoln Gundersen, Malia Olshefskie, Ryan Goodall, Dylan Lopez, Adeline Gundersen, Weston Lopez, Kade Goodall and Elijah Benson.
A Celebration of life for Leo will be held at Saint Anne Catholic Church, 5200 Saufley Field Rd, Pensacola, FL 32526 on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. Mass will begin at 9:30 a.m. immediately following the mass we will be leaving in procession to Barrancas National Cemetery for a gravesite service at 11:30 am
Leo was a proud Veteran of the United States Navy, having dedicated his life to service for over 20 years. He served as a Boiler Technician Supervisor and received numerous unit commendations and ribbons. He participated in the Vietnam War aboard the USS John F. Kennedy and received the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Commendation Gallantry Cross, the Vietnam Service Medal with Two Bronze Stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Ribbon for his wartime experience. Leo retired from the military with the rank of Petty Officer First Class.
Leo’s military training assisted him with obtaining his State of New Jersey Blue Seal Engineer’s License and his States of New Jersey & Florida Class A License. He was a proud semi-truck driver from 1994 – 2000 and would often visit family in Florida on his routes. These visits would become some of his grandchildren’s fondest memories as they loved riding in his semi-truck.
After retirement, Leo moved to Pensacola, Florida to be closer to his children and their families. He enjoyed playing disc golf and partaking in daily cribbage matches with his children and grandchildren. Leo was also an avid dog lover and hardly went anywhere without his two dogs, Addie and Rox. He loved making people laugh, usually accomplishing this with one of his memorable jokes or stories. He almost always had a smile on his face and will be remembered for being the life of the party. Leo adored his many great-grandchildren, and would always send them home with lollipops, candy, and soda after visits.
Leo is survived by his brothers, Paul Olshefskie and Carl Olshefskie (Merry Ann), his children, Lee Olshefskie, Laura Gundersen, James Michael Olshefskie, David Olshefskie, Christopher L. Olshefskie (Jennifer), and Shawna Lowe, his ten grandchildren, Jessica Showalter (Adam), Saraya Olshefskie (Ryan), Bryan Gundersen (Erin), Brandon Gundersen, Joshua Olshefskie, Kayla Olshefskie, Brittany Lopez (Matthew), Christopher T. Olshefskie, Dawson Olshefskie and Jaden Olshefskie, as well as his ten great-grandchildren, Timothy Doyle, McKensie Doyle, Lincoln Gundersen, Malia Olshefskie, Ryan Goodall, Dylan Lopez, Adeline Gundersen, Weston Lopez, Kade Goodall and Elijah Benson.
A Celebration of life for Leo will be held at Saint Anne Catholic Church, 5200 Saufley Field Rd, Pensacola, FL 32526 on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. Mass will begin at 9:30 a.m. immediately following the mass we will be leaving in procession to Barrancas National Cemetery for a gravesite service at 11:30 am