An accomplished builder, glass artist and consummate philosopher, he left a wealth of loving memories for all who befriended him. After graduating from St. Peter's Prep in Peekskill, N.Y. and serving his country in the US Navy, Olof attended Michigan State University and Parsons College in Iowa. There he met his wife and mother of his children, Francoise Morel. They lived in France, Pennsylvania and Tucson, AZ. In 2007 he found paradise in Pagosa Springs, CO.
Olof was a beloved friend to many. Pagosa friends can join the family in a memorial celebration of his life at his home on Saturday, October 4 at 2pm.
Min farfars bror hette Oscar Högrelius, han var en av många som sökte sin lycka i USA i slutet av 1800-talet. Jag minns från min barndom hur det kom brev från honom och hur han längtade efter att kunna få resa hem och hälsa på. Så blev det aldrig.
Hans son Olof föddes 1907 och här sitter han livs levande som 101 år gammal!
Min pappas kusin med andra ord.
Det talades svenska när han växte upp och han förstår fortfarande vårt språk.
I USA heter man naturligtvis Hogrelius, de små prickarna faller bort "over there"!
För ett par veckor sedan talade jag med ett av Olofs barnbarn via Skype och fick se via webcam deras nyfödda son.
Jag känner ett visst vemod att se bilden på denna gamla man med klara drag av min far i sitt ansikte.
Blod är tjockare än vatten sägs det? Är det så?
Jag skrev detta 2008 och som sagt var då levde Olof fortfarande. Nu är både han och hans son med samma namn döda och vår släkt i USA håller på att tappa rötterna till Sverige.
"Gamle Olof" var född av helsvenska föräldrar men som all annan historia med emigranter så gifter man sig med andra amerikaner av annat ursprung. Det blir ett slut med att äta pannkakor med lingonsylt osv som den "gamle" gjorde i hela sitt liv. IKEA blev ett paradis för honom eftersom där fanns det svensk mat att köpa.
Vila i frid Olof!
PS Oscar Hogrelius.
Among the foremost builders in
the Woodcliff section is Oscar
Hogrelius. Although in business
only a few years, he has erected
numerous buildings, and has prac-
tically built up the whole length of
29th Street, Woodcliff. He special-
ized in cozy residential dwellings,
for which that section is so well
known. He has, however, of late
erected two large, beautiful apart-
ment houses on 28th Street. Mr.
Hogrelius built the Church of In-
tercession in New York. He is one
127
of the most successful contractors
and builders in the northern part
of the county. He is thorough in
every detail, energetic, and practical
in carrying out his contracts, and
prompt in all he undertakes. His
splendid foresight, integrity, and
sound judgment, and his capacity
for business has brought him into
more than local prominence. As
his business has always occ.upied
his full time, he has never affiliated
himself with any political or frater-
nal organization.' He takes a great
interest in church work, and is, na-
turally, much interested in civic
work.
Mr. Hogrelius was born in Swe-
den, January 25th, 1865. There he
received his early education and
later learned his trade. In 1899 he
immigrated to this country, and
settled in New York, later moving
to Woodcliff, where he soon after
engaged in business for himself.
In 1906 he married Edith Olson,
with whom he has one son, Olaf .
Okome Halland in sweden, maybe Oscar are one of the guys here in the pic.?