Necrology

Charles Jay Olney '64

Apr. 20, 1943-Nov. 26, 2018

Charles Jay Olney ’64, a general and vascular surgeon of Dataw Island, S.C., was born on April 20, 1943, in Amsterdam, N.Y., to the former Bertha Nathan, a teacher, and William Olney, an assembly department supervisor. He graduated from Wilbur H. Lynch High School in Amsterdam.

Olney came to Hamilton where he focused his studies in history and was a member of Psi Upsilon. He went on to earn his master’s of science degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1966, followed by an M.D. from Hahnemann University Medical College in 1970.

Olney received his surgical training at Boston City Hospital and served as a surgeon at Grand Forks Air Force base in North Dakota from 1975 to 1977. For the next 25 years, he practiced general and vascular surgery in Massachusetts at the Anna-Jaques Hospital in Newburyport, the Hale Hospital in Haverhill, and the Amesbury Hospital.

 An avid basketball and squash player, Olney enjoyed skiing in Colorado and playing golf in Europe with his family. He was active in community activities, fundraising for Anna-Jaques Hospital, serving on the Newburyport Rotary Club, operating the Artichoke Christmas Tree Farm, and coaching youth sports. According to a published obituary, he was also known for his great mind, quick wit, sense of humor, and compassion for healing sick patients.

Reminiscing on the impact of the College on his life for his 50^th reunion yearbook, Olney recalled the value of “using academics to achieve later in life. Learning to advance despite adversity.”

Charles J. Olney died on Nov. 26, 2018. He was 75 years old and is survived by his long-term partner, Janet Beaudoin; two children and their mother, Donna Cohen; and three grandchildren. Other survivors include a brother, Larry Olney ’68, and a nephew, Matthew Olney ’01.

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