On saturday morning I was very sad to learn that good friend, former employer and village entrepreneur Hans Olsson passed away. I don’t really know the hows and whys but I do know that Hans will be dearly missed in my home town of Veddige.
Hans and his wife Lena were running the Esso gas station in Veddige where I got my first job. We spent countless hours together serving customers and cars, talking ice hockey and joking around.
Many a good thing can be said about Hans, but one thing stands out: He was a man of his word. If he promised you something then he would walk through hellfire to deliver. Also, he was probably the biggest supporter of our metal cover band Cruel Covers. In january of 2005 a storm hit the west coast of Sweden in the middle of the night blacking out the whole village of Veddige. Me and Sandor were not late in heading out there. We ended up at the gas station were Hans and Lena were looking after things, waiting for the electricity to return.
Sandor took a picture. We had a couple of laughs and then returned out into the cold and found our way home were we lit some candles. A mighty fine memory I will say.
Good friend Martin “Compadre” Thomander called me up last night to let me know that before last nights’ game the Veddige Vipers held a silent minute for the late Hans Olsson. Hats off for that. Hans was always a through-the-ice-and-snow supporter of the local ice hockey team. The Vipers then kicked the crap out of Hovås Hockey winning 4-1.
So, on this day we raise our glasses high for Esso-Hans who is probably allready shifting gears in the Formula 1 race across the high plains of heaven. Salute!
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