Louis Greiner Olney, age 90, went to be with our Lord on April 19, 2016 in Morrisville, New York. He was born in Macedon, New York on February 13, 1926, the son of Henry Warren and Sophie Marie Greiner Olney. His formative years were affected greatly by the death of his father, when he was only two. He graduated from Macedon High School in 1943. Louis then volunteered for the United States Marine Corps and he was part of the occupation force sent to Japan in 1945-46. He then attended the College of Forestry at Syracuse University (now the College of Environmental Science and Forestry), earning a B.S. and then an M.S. in forestry by 1952. While at Syracuse, he met his future wife Elsie Alice Whitman in 1948. They were married in Weedsport, New York on August 19, 1950.
After college graduation, Louis and Elsie then moved to Weedsport, where they became partners with Elsie’s parents, Stewart and Dorothy Whitman, on the Whitman poultry/dairy farm. Louis also began full-time teaching science at West Genesee High School in Syracuse. Sons David and Andrew came along in 1961 and 1963 and it soon became time to make the move to Morrisville, New York for Louis to begin his career as a professor at Morrisville College. His primary specialties were Ichthyology and Entomology. He was presented with the “Distinguished Faculty” award for excellence in teaching in 1983. His teaching skills were loved and appreciated by a whole generation of students, several of whom developed long-term friendships with Professor Olney, such that they visited him many times over the years.
Louis had a lifelong love of the Lord and spent many hours serving in many capacities at the Weedsport Presbyterian Church (earlier) and the Morrisville Community Church (later), including church leadership boards, youth group leadership, and with the church choir. He also enjoyed musical theater, performing in more than a dozen Morrisville College and Hamilton Music theater productions with many lead roles including Ben Franklin in “1776” that was produced in 1976. His additional musical pursuits included many years in barbershop choirs in Central New York.
In his “spare time”, Louis was an avid gardener with a large vegetable garden, along with raspberries, grapes, and orchard trees. He also enjoyed cooking, canning, and barbequing – especially chicken. Louis and Elsie also enjoyed their several trips to Europe during the 1980-90’s. They treasured the re-connection with Greiner family members in Germany as well as visiting many historically significant sights all over central Europe. In retirement, they moved south and enjoyed many years with new and old friends in Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda, Florida, before moving back to New York in 2003.
Louis was preceded in death by his dear wife Elsie Whitman Olney in 2005, and is survived by his sons David Olney and wife Jane Olney of Ortonville, MI, Andrew Olney and wife Janet Olney of Morrisville, New York; and grandchildren Stewart, Philip, Leanne, Michelle, Aaron, Corey, Robert, Ben, Samantha, and Sarah.
There will be a memorial service in celebration of his life at the Morrisville Community Church, 3824 Swamp Rd, Morrisville, New York on Saturday, April 30 at 11 a.m. and calling hours at the church just prior to the service from 10-11 a.m.
Please consider donations in lieu of flowers for Louis’ Memory to: the Morrisville Community Church Memorial Fund.
Arrangements by Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 31 Cedar St., Morrisville, NY.