In loving memory of
Frederick Ollison III
October 19, 1937 - June 9, 2022
Frederick Ollison III, 84, of Grosse Pointe, passed away peacefully at home Thursday, June 9, 2022, after a brave battle with cancer. Fred is survived by his wife, Sarah Stroud Ollison; son, Frederick Ollison IV; daughter, Mary "Missy" Ollison Martinson (Patrick); and granddaughters, Lucy and Mary Martinson. Additionally, he leaves behind two stepchildren, Michael Rainey (Sarah) and Emily Klinec, as well as step-grandchildren, Tyler Rainey and Oliver Klinec.
Fred was the eldest child of Frederick Ollison Jr. and Helen Hague Ollison. He had two siblings, Judith Ollison McKean, now deceased, and Robert Hague Ollison.
Growing up in Grosse Pointe Farms, Fred attended the Grosse Pointe University School. He graduated from Hotchkiss Academy in 1955, and spent a post-graduate year at Asheville School in North Carolina. In 1961, Fred earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. During his years at Penn, he was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity where he served as social chairman and established lifelong friendships.
Upon graduation, Fred joined the U.S. Army and served at Fort Hood, Texas, 1962-63. In 1964, Fred joined the family business, Sanders Cleaning Company, where he served as president/owner, 1971-87. He later received his real estate license and enjoyed working at Bolton-Johnston Associates until unofficially retiring in 2020.
The Grosse Pointe community was important to Fred as evidenced by his active participation in several organizations. He joined Grosse Pointe Rotary in 1970, served as president 2015-16, was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow and in 2021 received the Infinite Sky Award, Lifetime of Rotary Service Above Self. He served as president of the Grosse Pointe War Memorial Board of Directors and worshipped at Christ Church Grosse Pointe.
In addition, Fred was a lifetime member of the Yondotega Club and the Country Club of Detroit, the latter of which he served as president 1986-87. As a member of The 78 rpm Club, Fred spent many happy hours sharing his profound love of music.
Fred's greatest joy was being surrounded by family and wonderful friends. From entertaining at home, traveling to the Acropolis in Athens and zip-lining in Alaska, Fred and Sarah's life together was an adventure.
His warmth, quick wit, intelligence and unwavering loyalty will be missed by everyone who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made in Fred's honor to the Grosse Pointe Rotary Club, grossepointerotary.org; or The A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Center for the Performing Arts, schaapcenter.com.