Bennie J. "Mike" Olender

11/12/2005

Bennie J. "Mike" Olender, 86, of 1096 Main St., Housatonic, died yesterday at Great Barrington Healthcare. Born in Housatonic on Nov. 27, 1918, son of Joseph and Teophila Dziokonska Olender, he attended local schools. A veteran of the Army Air Corps, he served during World War II as a tail gunner, obtaining the rank of technical sergeant. He fought in Sicily, Rome-Arno, Naples-Foggia, Normandy and the Rhineland. Mr. Olender owned the former Housatonic PX, also known as Mike's, and the former Housatonic Canteen. He was a communicant of All Saints' Church in Housatonic, and was a member of Adams-Budz VFW Post #8183. He and his wife, the former Alice E. Boldyga, were married Aug. 12, 1945, at All Saints' Church, Housatonic. She died March 3, 2001. He leaves a sister, Sophie Palmisano of Westerly, R.I. FUNERAL NOTICE -- A military funeral for Bennie J. "Mike" Olender, who died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005, will be conducted by the Adams-Budz VFW Post #8183 on Tuesday at 9 a.m. at BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at All Saints' Church, with the Rev. Anthony Jutt, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in St. Bridget's Cemetery. Family will receive friends on Monday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy in Mike's memory may be made to All Saints' Church in care of the funeral home, 33 South St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. During this service in World War II, he received the Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge with an oak leaf cluster, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon, and the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters.

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