- Date Of Death: February 23, 2012
- State: Pennsylvania
Benjamin C. “Ben” Olaf, 95, of Bethlehem, passed away on Thursday, February 23, 2012, at St. Lukes Hospice House, Lower Saucon Township, after a short illness. He was the husband of the late Ruth (Shiner) Olaf, with whom he shared 60 years of loving marriage before she passed away in 1999. Born in Kulpmont, Ben was the oldest child of the late Charles and Charlotte (Koleshefska) Olaf. He was a star football player in high school, and received a scholarship to St. Josephs University in Philadelphia. He remained an avid sports enthusiast his entire life. Ben worked for Bethlehem Steel Corp in the No. 2 Machine Shop and later in the Saucon Beam Yard until his retirement in 1979. He also was a real estate agent for the Koehler-Marvin agency. After retirement, he enjoyed gardening, maintaining his home, and long, daily walks. He was a firm believer in physical activity. Survivors: Son Bruce Olaf of Waretown, NJ; daughter Nancy Gross of Bethlehem Township; grandson Scott Gross of Bethlehem; brother Dr. Charles Olaf and his wife Eleanor of Allentown; sisters Jean Olaf of Hummelstown, Florence Mitchell of Fair Oaks, CA.; many nieces and nephews. Ben was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Bonnie in 1984, and by 5 brothers and 2 sisters.
