William J. Ohlson, 82, passed away peacefully after a brief illness. He was born in Lynn, MA, where he spent most of his life, and was a resident of Revere, MA when he passed. Bill worked most of his career in the food, catering, and beverage business and was the owner of The Brandy Barrel Pub in Lynn, MA. Bill was a lifelong learner who enjoyed traveling, especially road trips, history, old movies, and television shows, restoring wooden boats, renovating houses, fishing, and boating, and also held a Master Captain's license.
Bill was kind, generous, unconventional, and had a very quick wit. He would help anyone in need, whether he knew them or not, and never expected anything in return. He was a practical joker and loved to find the humor in almost all situations. Bill loved being a father and a grandfather and truly valued time spent with all family members. When his grandchildren were small, he convinced them that he was an alien and that he flew his UFO to their house every time he visited. They always sent him alien or space-related gifts and often talked about the day that we would actually get to see him take off in his rocket. Sending Bill into space is a perfectly fitting way to honor him.
Bill is survived by his daughter, Kathy Lamm of Irvine, CA; his grandchildren, Matthew and Amy Lamm of Irvine, CA; his nephews, William H. Ohlson of Kensington, NH, and Donald Courchaine of York, ME; his nieces, Terri Grower and her husband Kevin of Wakefield, NH, Karen Jensen and her husband Stephen of Northwood, NH, Ellen Levine and her husband Richard of Raymond, NH, his great nephews Grant Ohlson and Nicholas Jensen, his great nieces Sarah Jensen and Kelsey Ohlson and his beloved Shih Tzu, Luke. He was predeceased by his brother Edwin Ohlson in 2019 and his sister-in-law Althea Ohlson in 2020, both of Kensington, NH.
Bill had a significant impact on his community and the lives of many people. He was very much loved and is very much missed. We now get to look up in the sky and know that our favorite Starman is looking over us. Thank you, Dad, we love you.
