Peter "Pete" R. Olli

Peter Ray Olli, 65, passed away on October 20th, 2020 at his home in Grand Marais following a brief illness.

He was born December 27, 1954, in Marquette, MI to Andrew and Elaine (O’Brien) Olli, and attended Marquette Senior High School, graduating with the class of 1973.

Upon graduation Pete began a career at the LS&I Railroad where he worked at various positions until his retirement forty-two years later.  After retiring in 2015 he moved to Grand Marais where he had spent every summer of his youth. Retiring in Grand Marais, specifically on Little House Lane, was a life-long dream of Peter’s.

As a young man Pete excelled for more than a decade as goalie for The Penguins, a Marquette men’s league team.  He also enjoyed spending time on Lake Superior where he completed several trips between Marquette and Grand Marais on his catamaran and one solo trip on a wind surfer. Additionally, he was an avid skier and was a member of the founding fathers of the Back Door ski club at Marquette Mountain and a life-long Packer Fan.

In 1991, utilizing his considerable building skills, he with help of several talented friends, constructed a retirement home in Grand Marais for his parents on the east side of the current post office building in Grand Marais which serves today as one of the favorite family vacation rentals in town.

Pete had many accomplishments in his life, but the one he was most proud of was being a father and grandpa.

He is survived by his daughter Michelle (Eric) Andrusyszyn, and three grandchildren, Jacob, Grace and Evalyn of Brighton Michigan.  Also surviving are his siblings, Richard Olli; Daniel Olli (Donna Torchio) ; Helen Riley (James);   Christopher Olli;  Barney Olli (Kimber); as well as multiple cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Elaine ; and a brother, John.

A Celebration of Life will be help in the summer of 2021 in Grand Marais.