Angelo G. Olivari

Angelo “Sid” G. Olivari, 97, of Gardner, was reunited with his wife, Diana Dolanda (Landry) Olivari, on Saturday, January 28, 2023, after a brief illness.     

Sid grew up on Pine Street in Gardner, Massachusetts, the youngest of five children of the late Angelo and Clelia (Granara) Olivari. Sid attended Gardner Public Schools until 1944, when he entered the United States Marine Corps during his senior year of high school. Sid trained at Paris Island, South Carolina, before continuing onto the Pacific Theater, where he served in the Solomons Island campaign and then the Ryukyus Islands campaign, where he was seriously wounded in battle on Okinawa Island on May 18, 1945. He was honorably discharged on May 9, 1946. Sid was awarded the Purple Heart, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon with one battle star, a Presidential Unit Citation, the American Theater Ribbon, and a World War II Victory Medal. He eventually received his high school diploma on May 20, 1999, along with thirty-eight other local veterans, as part of the “Operation Recognition” program, fifty-five years after leaving school.   

After service, Sid returned to Gardner and married Diana in October 22, 1949. He enjoyed 66-years of marriage with Diana until her passing in April 9, 2016. Prior to retirement, Sid and Diana both worked for George B. Bent Co., a furniture manufacturer in Gardner, where Sid was an Engineering Manager. Sid was a member of the American Legion Post 129, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 905, the Knights of Columbus, and a director of the Greater Gardner Chair City Chapter No. 3237 of AARP, Inc. He enjoyed organizing and attending many trips with his fellow AARP members. He worshiped at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church of Gardner until its closing and at Annunciation Parish at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church of Gardner thereafter. Sid was an avid golfer, New England sports fan, and enthusiastic joke teller.    

Sid was predeceased by his sister Adeline; his three brothers, Joseph, John, and Arthur; and his nephew, John Robert (J.R.). He was the last Olivari of the “Greatest Generation” and will be deeply missed by his niece, Nancy Bernier; his nephews, Joseph, Mark, David, John, and Matthew Olivari; and many extended family and friends.  

Sid’s family would like to thank Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for the excellent care they provided to Sid during his last month and Beacon Hospice Care of Leominster for providing comfort and support during his final weeks.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, February 8, 2023, with a Mass at 10:30 a.m. in Annunciation Parish at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA 01440. Burial at St. John’s Cemetery, West Street, Gardner, MA, will be held in the spring.

There are no calling hours.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284, or on their website at (www.heart.org). Please reference in memory of Angelo G. Olivari.