Roy Leonard Olofson, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at the age of 83.
Roy was born on January 13, 1939, in Kenmore, New York, to Eric and Karin Olofson, Swedish immigrants. He served in the U.S. Marines, graduated from UCLA and became a CPA with Price Waterhouse.
He later completed the advanced management program at Harvard University and had a successful career as a senior executive at several retail companies, including Carter Hawley Hale and Fedco department stores, where he served as CEO.
Roy was a longtime member of the Jonathan Club, Los Angeles Athletic Club and The One Hundred Club. He served as president of the California State University Foundation, Los Angeles, chairman of the Institute of Retail Management at Cal State, Los Angeles, and board member of the Harvard Business School Alumni Association.
Roy married the love of his life, Lillian Sava Dimich, on April 28, 1962. They moved to La Cañada Flintridge in 1966 and raised three children, Eric, Erin and Roy. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
Roy had a wonderful sense of humor and an insatiable zest for life. He loved every day. He was a family man, who enjoyed spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. Roy and Lillian enjoyed ballroom dancing with Stardusters.
They had an annual New Year’s Eve dinner party with their closest friends. They loved to dine at fine restaurants and entertain friends and family at their home. They hosted a Christmas Swedish dinner with their children and grandchildren every year and traveled to Russia, Sweden, Croatia and many other countries.
Roy was preceded in death by his father, Eric, his mother, Karin, and his sister, Nancy. He is survived by his wife, Lillian, three children and their families: Son, Eric (wife, Jill), and their children, Jenny, Jackie, JR and James, daughter, Erin (husband, Scott) and their daughter, Emily; son Roy, and his children, Andrea and Noah; as well as his niece, Laura, and many relatives of Lillian whom he enjoyed immensely.
A memorial service will be held at noon on June 24, 2022, at La Cañada Presbyterian Church, locatedat 625 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada Flintridge with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Roy’s honor to the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. Donations may be directed to the UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation, 8-950 FactorBuilding, Box 951780, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1780, attention Melissa Brody (310) 206-0675.
