Ollis

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis

Posted

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, of Our Lady Queen of Peace parish in the New Dorp section of Staten Island, died Aug. 28 in an insurgent attack in the Ghazni Province of Afghanistan. He was 24.

Father Stephen M. Koeth, C.S.C., a doctoral student at Columbia University in residence at Holy Trinity parish in Manhattan, was the principal celebrant and homilist at the Funeral Mass offered Sept. 14 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church.

Father Koeth grew up in the neighborhood of the Ollis family.

“When I left Burbank Avenue for my freshman year of college, Michael was just 6 years old,” Father Koeth said in his homily. “And although I certainly saw him any number of times on my visits home during all the intervening years, and even though I knew very well that he was a grown man, bravely serving his country, when I heard the tragic news two weeks ago I couldn’t help but immediately think of a little boy peddling his Big Wheel up and down Burbank Avenue.

“He peddled that Big Wheel at breakneck speed and reveled in braking hard and spinning out. No matter how much older or bigger they were, or what game they were playing, Mikey always charged into the midst of the other kids on the block, eager for a part in the action.”

As young Michael matured, his strength and determination were honed and channeled into what was clearly his vocation to, and his passion for, military service to his country, the priest added.

So, it was no surprise “that the little kid who played in Army fatigues ended up following in his father’s and his grandfathers’ steps…that he joined the Army, that he earned his Jump Wings and a Ranger Tab, that he was awarded a Silver Star just like his dad, and was invited to be a member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.”

Father Koeth continued, “Michael was quick to respond to the needs of the men under his command, selflessly deploying the spirit of courage and strength he had long exhibited, only now toward the sacred duty of ensuring the safety of his men….

“Michael was able to turn strength, courage and determination into what Christ Himself called the truest and greatest form of love: the love that lays down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Concelebrants included Father Pancrose Kalist, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace; Msgr. Edmund Whalen, principal of Msgr. Farrell High School, Staten Island, and Msgr. Peter Finn, pastor of Blessed Sacrament parish and co-vicar of Staten Island.

Survivors include his parents, Bob and Linda Ollis; and two sisters, Kimberly Loschiavo and Kelly Manzolillo. Burial was in the veterans’ section of Resurrection Cemetery, Staten Island.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis