June 15, 2012
Royal City Nursery marks 50 years
Peter and Doreen Olsen thank the many people who attended Royal City Nursery’s 50th anniversary.
Peter and Doreen Olsen, as well as their daughters Tanya and Leah, enjoyed a proud commemorative day. Guelph Mayor Karen Farbridge, MPP Liz Sandals and MP Frank Valeriote all appeared to offer congratulations, recognize the nursery’s importance to Guelph and affirm the respect it has earned from its community. Landscape Ontario members also recognized the business, a charter LO member, with a plaque; Peter Olsen served as LO president in 1986.
Well-wishers were not limited to the Guelph community; the LO presidents serving on both sides of Peter Olsen’s term praised his quiet, meticulous leadership style.
“Peter was up-to-date on everything, ran a good meeting and did all his work himself,” said Monica van Maris. Olsen was consistently personable and dedicated, according to Bob Allen.
Olsen promoted apprenticeship by teaching at Humber for many years. Retired LO education manager Terry Murphy remembers one Humber commencement, when Olsen rose despite health problems to wish the students success, “I thought that this was a sign of his true support of apprenticeship training, his love for teaching and for the students and what he is made of, a true and dedicated professional.”
Peter Olsen’s parents, Danish immigrants John and Elsebeth Olsen, founded the nursery. The Olsen daughters continue the family tradition by taking active roles in the business.