The LuLac Edition #191, April 3rd, 2007

PHOTO INDEX: A REPRESENTATION OF THE FIGHTING 69th AND THE LATE VICTOR OLNEY WHO WHEN YOU MET HIM BECAME "INSTANT FRIEND" AND IN THE CASE OF MY WORLD, "INSTANT FAMILY".

VICTOR J. OLNEY



Army Sergeant Victor J. Olney died last week at his ocean side home in New Jersey. It was a place to get away to from the hustle and bustle of the city he grew up in and loved, New York. Vic was the quintessential New Yorker - funny, loud, passionate and full of enthusiasm for everything he was concerned with.

For years Vic was a well-known stockbroker on Wall Street. He was known to the rich, powerful and politically famous. When NY Mayor Michael Bloomberg took office and went to a function at the 69th Armory, he said from the rostrum, “Hi Vic, you’re here too?”

Indeed he was. It was where Vic went on that day in September in 2001 when the nation was attacked by terrorists pitching in to do what he could in this time of need. The 69th Regiment was activated to assist in the World Trade Center disaster and their Armory became the principal information center for people looking for loved ones.

Vic Olney, serving as a volunteer at the 69th Armory, wrote bulletins concerning the activities at the armory and the heroic efforts of the men in the active battalion. The Armory was the place where Vic welcomed home the troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He was an activist within the regiment's Veterans Corps for many years, and a bulwark in support of the active battalion. Vic started his own company, Tara Hall, which sold Irish memorabilia and merchandise that honored the 69th, its history and Irish heritage. Vic often used Tara Hall's newsletters to keep his customers and friends updated on the perils and duty facing the 69th, in Iraq and elsewhere. A staunch patriot, Vic was far more conservative than us, but we avoided contentious topics, preferring to dwell on our shared passions for the history and heritage of the Irish, and particularly Vic's beloved 69th and the Civil War's Irish Brigade.

Vic, as a volunteer, managed the Officers' Club at the 69th's historic Beaux Art turn-of-the-century armory. As a quintessential New York character, Vic added much color to the tavern's lively ambience.

Did I mention Vic was Irish? Very, very Irish. Vic joined the National Guard, one of the oldest fighting brigades in the Nation, “The Fighting 69th ” out of New York City. Vic told me they even made a movie with James Cagney regarding the unit. Gave me the movie, made me watch, even tested me on it.

Tara Hall, Vic’s mail order and web business, was a labor of love combining his passions for his Irish heritage and the Irish Brigade. Vic traveled the country to Irish festivals with his wife, Barbara, meeting and greeting the folks and making his mark each and every place he went.

Vic was the type of guy to make an impression. Up until the year 2000, I knew nothing of this man. Through the miracle of the Internet, a woman identifying herself as a cousin of mine contacted my wife. As soon as my wife began to describe the woman, I knew instantly it was my cousin Barbara whose dad was my father’s younger brother. Marital divisions separated Barbara from our clan but in the year 2000 we reunited again. It was both exhilarating but bittersweet. I had the thrill of re-living our family experiences and telling them to my newfound cousin but it also fell to me to fill in the sad parts too. Barbara had not known her father, John Yonki, Junior had died in 1976. It was up to me to break the news and take her to his gravesite. At this most emotional time, her tower of strength was that Army Sergeant, Vic Olney.

Vic was Barbara’s high school sweetheart, her senior prom date even. They met in the Poconos in 1962 and after falling in love, the duo never looked back. They would have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this September.

The couple would visit us here in Pennsylvania and Vic would make the big impression. Eric Lee, the well-known restaurant owner would welcome Vic with open arms and share thoughts on the city of New York and Chinese food.

Vic was also a New York Mets fan. He told people he was at the fifth game of that 1969 World Series where the miracle Mets won the championship. And unlike others, it was the truth. He was there!

Vic was diagnosed with esophageal cancer a few years ago and fought a courageous battle. He lost that fight quietly and peacefully last Tuesday on a comfortable sofa with an ocean breeze comforting him.

He was buried with full military honors in New York City on Saturday, March 31st from St. Stephen's Church between 3rd & Lexington Avenues. A 21-gun salute was fired in his honor at the end of the Mass. He was cremated and his ashes will be spread in Barnegat Bay off Long Beach Island, New Jersey sometime this fall.

A Celebration followed at his beloved 69th Armory on Lexington Avenue where people ate, drank, and told stories of the always memorable Vic Olney. He would have loved to have been there because he was the first to enjoy a great party.

Vic is survived by his wife, Barbara Yonki, two daughters Karen and Donna along with their husbands. A grand daughter, Josephine, who was his utmost pride and joy, also survives him. From all of his friends, to the man who became “instant family”, we say, Ar dheis De go raibh sé .(May he sit at the right hand of God. )


In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

69th Regiment Family Support Group
68 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10010

American Cancer Society
P.O. Box 22718
Oklahoma City, O K. 73123.

PARTIAL ARTICLE & PHOTO SOURCE: Gerald A. Regan, ProducerTheWildGeese.com -- The Epic History and Heritage of the IrishProduced by GAR Media38-11 Ditmars Boulevard, #193 Astoria NY 11105-1803v: 917.741.9501 f: 208.978.9998 e: mail: ger@garmedia.com.

LINK TO HIS SITE: http://thewildgeese.com/blogs/2007/03/vic-olney-patriot-veteran-and-devoted.html