Obituary of George J. Olney

George Joseph Olney, Jr., 98, passed away peacefully at his home in Westernville on December 7, 2022.

George was born on March 13, 1924, in Rome, NY, the oldest son of George J. Olney and Katharine Floyd Olney.  George grew up inWesternville and attended Rome schools, graduating from Rome Free Academy.  After graduation, he joined the Army and served our country in Europe during World War II.  After the war, he began working in the family businesses of Olney & Floyd Canning Company of Lee Center and the G.J. Olney Machinery Company of Westernville.  In 1948, George married Dorothy Davis of North Western, whom he first met riding the bus to RFA.  George and Dorothy built a home on Main Street in Westernville where they raised their four children.  Dorothy passed away in October of 1977.  Several years later, George married June Updike Rickard, and welcomed June’s three sons and the Updikes into the family.  George and June spent much of their time traveling and restoring the original Olney homestead until June’s passing in May of 2004.

George was a self-educated mechanical engineer who could fix anything.  After the sale of Olney & Floyd Canning Company to Perfection Foods, George concentrated his efforts on working with his father and two brothers at G.J. Olney, Inc.  He designed a variety of machines for the processing of peas, beans, corn, and other vegetables.  Many of George’s designs are used throughout the world in the canned and frozen vegetable industries.  George retired as president of the company in 1994.

George’s other business endeavors included owning and operating the Jackwax Ski Shop at Woods Valley Ski Area in Westernville, along with his brother-in-law, John “Bud” Sterling.  In 1988, George and his three sons purchased Woods Valley after the sudden passing of his good friend, Dave Woods.  George derived great pleasure in operating the business with his sons and carrying on the Woods Valley traditions for 22 years.  After the sale of the ski area back to the Woods family in 2011, George remained a frequent visitor to the slopes.

George was active in the Westernville community, devoting his efforts to the Westernville Presbyterian Church, Boy Scouts, and the Westernville Volunteer Fire Department.  He was a past elder and trustee of the church, former Boy Scout Master, and past president of the fire company.  He was proud to have been a part of the 1965 Search Committee that hired Reverend Chester P. Lippy, fresh from seminary school, as the Westernville Presbyterian Church’s new pastor.  Reverend Lippy served the church for 38 years and became one of George’s dearest friends.

George’s pastimes included hunting and fishing in the Adirondacks and Quebec.  He had a love for Mother Nature and was respectful of our resources and ecology, long before it became popular. Every March, George and his children looked forward to tapping his maple trees to make the maple syrup that he enjoyed and loved to share with his friends.  He had a great interest in our country’s history and was proud to be a direct descendant of General William Floyd, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.  He was a member of the Lake Delta Yacht Club, Westernville Historical Society, Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, Baron von Steuben Lodge #264, Griffiss Ski Club, and numerous professional organizations.

George is survived by his children, G. Joseph Olney, III (Kathleen) of Rome, Elizabeth Corbett (Patrick) of Queensbury, Christopher Olney (Kathleen) of Westernville and W. Scott Olney (Karen) of Westernville; June’s sons, Christopher Rickard of Poestenkill, Kurt Rickard of Auburn, Eric Rickard (Liza) of Potomac Falls, VA;  grandchildren, George J. Olney, IV (Rachael), Julie Olney Carpenter (Daniel), Sheila Olney, Kevin Corbett (Madeline), Margaret Corbett, Benjamin Olney, Alex McGetrick (Amber), Kelly Palinski (Andrew), and Michael Bartell (Mary).Also surviving are eight great-grandchildren, a brother, W. Floyd Olney (Elizabeth), a sister-in-law, Ann Olney, and numerous nieces and nephews.  George was predeceased by his two wives, Dorothy Davis Olney and June Rickard Olney; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Katharine Olney Sterling (Bud) and Eleanor Olney Hladun (John); and his brother, John B. Olney.  The family extends their gratitude to George’s wonderful caregivers and friends, Melinda, Sandy, Patty, Gail, Betty, Cheryl, Tammy, Ben, and Ann Harper. 

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 13^th at 11 AM at the Westernville Presbyterian Church.  Interment will take place in the Westernville Cemetery in the spring.  Friends may call at Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc., 418 N. George St., Rome, on Monday December 12^th, from 4 until 7 PM.  Contributions in George’s memory may be made to the Westernville Presbyterian Church, P. O. Box 190, Westernville, NY 13486 or the Town of Western Historical Society, P.O, Box 256, Westernville, NY 13486.