Former Watertown native, Tyrus (Ty) Olvert recently passed away in Naples, FL. Ty was born April 8,1942 to Gerald and Norma Barber Olvert of Watertown, NY. He graduated in 1960 from WHS where he was an outstanding athlete. He then attended Ithaca College and graduated cum laude in 1964 with a B.S. degree in Health and Physical Education. While at Ithaca, he was a member of the baseball team and inducted into the Ithaca College Athletic Hall of Fame. Following Itaca he attended Temple University as a graduate assistant and graduated in 1965 with a Master of Education degree in Health and Education. Upon graduation he worked for 2 years in the Baldwinsville, NY school system, then working for Canton College, Canton NY, for 18 years. While at Canton College he was an Associate Professor teaching and coaching baseball, lacrosse and women’s soccer. After leaving Canton, he and his family moved to Camphill, PA where he worked with his wife in her business called Olvert’s Unique Designs. He later retired and moved to Wellesley Island, NY. Ty is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary Jane Buckingham of Naples, FL, a son Jeffrey (Kelly) Olvert of North Grafton, MA, a daughter Kimberly Provost of Holyoke, MA and a daughter Amanda Stafford of Hartford, CT. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Emily Stafford, Riley and Wesley Provost, Madison, Mackenzie and Katie Olvert, many brother and sister in-laws and nieces and nephews. His sister Gail Caster is deceased. In addition to his love for his family, Ty enjoyed fishing on the St. Lawrence River and his hunting land with his cousins Thomas and George Barber at Harrisville, NY.
James s Barber
March 4, 2024, 4:29 pm
Very sorry for your loss. Uncle. Ty was unbelievable person . This is Jimmy. I am crying like a baby. I’m deeply saddened that he is gone haha. I loved him since I was a little boy. He treated me like a son taking me to hockey camp, several Summers and staying at your house. I love those years. They were the best years of my life. Trying to be as good as Jeff and playing with Kim and Mandy. And I always love my Aunt Mary Jane. She was always so nice and kind. Uncle Ty was awesome. Guy will be missed forever by all of us . Again I’m very sorry. I love you all. Jimmy
Dave Patterson
March 4, 2024, 4:43 pm
Ty was that rare friend who you could
count on. He was a skilled carpenter and builder. I’ve lost a friend who well
earned my admiration and respect.
Dave Patterson
Kimberly Provost
March 4, 2024, 4:50 pm
Dad,
You will be greatly missed but forever in our hearts.
Terry and Jill Martin
March 4, 2024, 8:14 pm
Mary Jane, Jeff, Kim and Amanda,
Our memories are filled with times in Canton both professionally and personally. Ty was always kind, fun, dedicated to family and his career.
I knew Ty in high school , never anticipating becoming friends as adults. Karma!
We are so saddened for you all and the many friends who knew how special a man, husband and father
Ty was.
You are in our thoughts as we extend our condolences.
Terry and Jill Martin
Barb Lavarnway
March 4, 2024, 9:09 pm
Mary Jane and family,
We are very sad to learn of Ty’s passing. I’m sure that his passing will leave a huge void within your family. We are thinking of all of you.
Lee & Barb Lavarnway
Kathleen Lainhart
March 4, 2024, 9:59 pm
My Uncle Ty, my Mother’s only sibling. Words cannot express my sadness at your passing. Awesome Husband, Father to my 3 cousin’s, I still remember riding in the car with you and my Grandma, taking you to Ithaca College when you attended there. So vivid in my mind. Best Gym Coach to me when I attended ACC in 1977! The welcome I felt during my college year there, invited to your home. Never will be forgotten! Love you forever Uncle Ty!
Kimberly Keller Vlasseman
March 5, 2024, 12:55 am
Mary Jane, Kim, Mandy, and Jeff,
Our Canton memories are filled with wonderful times with the Olverts. It is incredible that Ty and my dad (Dave Keller) were together since they were little boys in Watertown, playing sports together (and other teenage fun- haven’t heard all of the stories yet!) in high school, and would go on to live on the Morley Road and work together at Canton College. And that their children would become good friends growing up! In retirement, my parents always light up when sharing that they’ve spent the weekend with Ty and Mary Jane. What a lifelong deep friendship! Ty was always there for his family, and for ours. Sending you all love at this most difficult time. Please know Ty will always be remembered and loved by the Keller family.
Love from Kimberly Keller Vlasseman and David, Diane, and Sean Keller
Jackie Lavarnway
March 5, 2024, 1:08 am
Dear Mary Jane,
So saddened by the loss of your beloved Ty. We are happy to have known you through the Tom Barber family. We have many great memories. Such a good, good person with lots of sincerity and love. Our thoughts and prayers are are with our and your family. Jackie and Greg Lavarnway.
Sally
March 5, 2024, 3:37 am
Dear Mary Jane, I’m so sorry to learn of Ty’s recent death. He was always such a nice, friendly kid and man.
He will be miss d
John Burchett
March 5, 2024, 11:06 am
Sorry to hear this news. Ty was a great friend and a great teammate at WHS.
John Howard
March 5, 2024, 1:00 pm
R.I.P. Ty.,
Karen Allen
March 6, 2024, 1:34 am
Mary Jane and family,
We were very sorry to hear of Ty’s passing. I have known Ty since we were classmates in
grade school at Sherman St. School. We all went in different directions after high school and
then Tom and Donna Barber got us together again having visits and dinner together in the
summers. Ty was a great guy and friend we will always remember. We send our sympathy
and prayers to your family. Fondly, Karen and Denny Allen
Mike Evereth
March 6, 2024, 6:14 pm
Ty was a good from High School and I would up with him occasionally at class reunions and on the Saint Lawrence River. When I had a cottage in Clayton I would always look forward to the French Festival in Cape Vincent so I could see Ty. RIP Tyrus
Marcia Gaffney
March 6, 2024, 11:26 pm
Mary Jane and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers.
Marcia Gaffney
March 8, 2024, 12:57 am
Mary Jane and family So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and sending prayers. He was a great guy.
Marcia Gaffney
March 8, 2024, 1:14 am
Mary Jane and family So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and sending prayers. He was a great guy.
Kathy Guzzo Wiesner
March 12, 2024, 2:34 am
Mary Jane and family, so sorry for your loss . I have great memories when I lived in canton with y’all and your family. Kathy Guzzo wiesner. Bob worked with Ty at the college.