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Olav Holthe Mikkelsen

It is with great sadness the family of Olav Holthe Mikkelsen announces his passing on July 7, 2017, at the age of 72.
Olav Holthe Mikkelsen

Olav Holthe Mikkelsen

It is with great sadness the family of Olav Holthe Mikkelsen announces his passing on July 7, 2017, at the age of 72. Olav is survived by his wife of 46 years Jean, sons Kim (Becki) and Anders, grandchildren Malia, Kai and Finn, brother Viggo, and sisters Britta and Ingrid.

Olav was born in Solvesborg, Sweden, to Leif and Ellie. In his young days in Sweden, when not working on the farms, Olav spent countless hours sailing in his varnished wooden sailboats. As young entrepreneurs, Olav and his brother Viggo, with the support of their parents, formed a small logging company that operated for 12 years until they moved on to new endeavours.

In 1969, in the midst of his logging career, Olav met his wife Jean, who had been travelling with nursing friends at the time. This meeting led to their marriage in 1971 in New Westminster, which was Jean’s hometown. They settled in Sweden for two years and then moved to West Germany to follow logging opportunities. It was there they gave birth to their first son, Kim, in 1974.

In 1975, Olav and Jean arrived in Newfoundland and travelled and camped across North America in their Volkswagen van with the intent to settle somewhere in BC.

Jean accepted a nursing position in Powell River in 1975. Through a nursing connection, Olav discovered a new career in commercial prawn fishing. Olav and Jean purchased their first fish boat, Lady Devine, in 1977, and shortly thereafter, in the same year, welcomed their second child, Anders, into their lives.

Olav quickly developed a love for fishing and exploring the coast of BC. He began raising his two sons to have his same appreciation for boats and the ocean. In 1989, Olav and Jean expanded to a larger boat, the Damarie, and continued expanding the business with his family over the next decade.

Prawn fishing was a large part of who Olav was. As one of the original pioneers of the prawn industry, he always believed a slow and steady-paced fishery was the answer for a healthy and sustainable resource. It was not uncommon to see Olav wearing his coveralls and toque while working at the harbour at any given time. He was hardworking and highly respected among other fisherman and friends.

Olav treated his crew like family and many of his deckhands saw him as another father figure in their lives. Olav’s boats were always clean as he took pride in them. He was kind and generous and had a way of making people smile.

In 2001, Olav and Jean opened a new chapter in their fishing career when they purchased the Concord 101. They used this boat as a packer and it allowed them to enjoy their time out on the ocean together. Boating was one of their favourite pastimes.

Another hobby they enjoyed was fall camping in their RVs. Memories of Olav will always be with us and we are all thankful for the time we had with him. Forever in our hearts he remains.