My thoughts and prayers go out to the family during this difficult time.

Ollan was a great guy who will be dearly missed. I always had a hard time carving out the time to write my blog. If it wasn't for Ollan's emails and reminders, I'd probably never turn in my blog. In fact,my last conversation with him was his reminder to me. Ollan- thanks for your patience and coordination. You helped make BATimes and ProjectTimes what it is today and you are deeply missed my friend. My prayers and thoughts go out to his family and friends!

Very Sad to hear this news!!.. Will miss Ollan forever. My prayers and heartfelt condolences to his family!! May his soul rest in peace.

Dear Ollan, It was always such a pleasure to receive, over the past few years, your polite requests to correct my nonsense. I felt I had a true friend on the other side of the world. Will you be saving that champagne for me so that we can toast the beauty of the English language together some day? With love, Suzanne

I was shocked to read of Ollan's passing. Ollan was my very first boss in advertising so many many years ago, when I interned at Quiller & Blake during university. He was a wonderful boss, so witty and warm - I really liked working for him. I had no idea that he was the editor here - today I'm deep in the IT BA world, and always use this site as a valuable resource - how the world comes full circle, knowing that Ollan was here, guiding my career, still. I feel deeply for your loss, and for his friends and family. My thoughts go out to you all at this time.

It is a delight to read the comments from Ollan's professional life and the respect his colleagues had for him. He was a true professional and even in his last weeks he was fretting about getting his work done. He called on his good friend, Hilda, pen in hand, jotter on lap to be his right hand girl to meet the deadlines. Lest you all think Ollan was all work and no play, let me assure you that he had a full and busy life with many long standing pals. I count myself as one. Ollan and I co-owned a cottage for over 25 years and in between fishing, golfing, swimming, water ski-ing (some time ago!) and the occasional alcoholic beverage he sure got up to some high jinks and had lots of fun. He was a wonderful friend to me. I miss him deeply. Liz .

We were so sad to hear about Ollan's passing. We will miss him.

I was saddened to hear of Ollan's passing. May he rest in peace.

I'm saddened to hear about Ollan's passing. He was a kind person and a pleasure to work with. He will be missed dearly. My prayers and condolences to his loved ones.

It is wonderful to read all of these fond notes from across the world. Ollan was my Uncle and God Father, "responsible for my spiritual needs" as he would say! He had a great sense of humor and a knack for befriending people of all ages. This page is very touching and much appreciated.

I will always remember Ollan's famous words, "Storm, do you happen to know if Chris has finished his article? " Ollan, you were a true gentleman and you will be greatly missed. RIP. The world is a better place because of your warmth, your humour and of course, your patience.

My interactions with Ollan were wonderfully simple and encouraging, I had the sense that he genuinely appreciated my contributions, was tolerant of my foibles (including the oft mentioned tardiness) and would be happy to have more work from me. What more could a person ask of an editor? It's clear from the comments so far that he will be sadly missed by his colleagues, friends and his family. How wonderful that BA / Project Times has created this space for those who knew him to share their feelings and thus ensure each other that he is and will be remembered with great appreciation. Marsha in Victoria BC

Ollan, was named as " number two son" in our house by my father from a pretty young age., he became a second brother to me and a constant in my life. Realising that he is no longer "over there in Canada" is going to be hard. To lose one brother was hard, it is even harder to lose two, both were dear friends and made such a difference to my life. I send my love to Bria, Ciar, Ronan, Grainne and Derucca, and their families, and I thank all his friends in Toronto that helped him not only in his last few weeks but during his life. See you on the first tee in the fairways above Ollan, Love you Jean.

may his soul rest in peace god bless him !

Unfortunately we didn’t get to see Ollan nearly as much as we would have liked with the distance in between us. However, when he did manage to get home we always enjoyed his visits…………wheth er or not he did is a different question………………… …!!! One of my distinct memories is a close call he had when his sister suggested her daughter drive Ollan out where Ballykissangel was filmed. No issues there you may think but, when you add in the fact her daughter was only 17, new to the roads and hadn’t passed her test yet makes the story a bit more hazardous! Let ’s just say I don’t think I managed convince him of my driving abilities when we had a very close call at a crossroads at high speed!!! My proclamations of “Oh I had the right of way Ollan, he was in the wrong, I swear” didn’t seem to have him convinced. I think that’s when his hair officially turned grey!!! Ollan also woke up in our house one morning, went about his business and was startled to find a stranger in our house. He soon learnt that this was my best friend, who liked to climb in our sitting room window on a regular occurance and watch TV, whilst pretending to her Mother that she was in college for the day. In true Ollan style, he found great amusement in this and became accustomed to greeting her each morning he was there! And finally Gransers………………m y Dad’s Mother. She always had a soft spot for Ollan. “Pooooor Ollan” she would say with great affection whenever his name was mentioned. She is up there with him now having a great awl catch up. All of the comments from friends, relatives and colleagues go to prove that he was a friendly, humourous and successful man in both his business and private life – a great character who will be missed. Rest in Peace Ollan Kela xxxx

Ollan's cuzzin. Interes teringly, that at this time of year Ollan would call me a ask ' It's almost December and I haven't seen your Christmas card .....I thought you mailed these out in July'. I'll miss that this year. I'll miss a lot of things, like our discussions on who's who in pictures dated back in the 18 and 1900's. Was it a Fullen, a Murray , Cullen, Higgins or Delany. Who was the Priest or Nun or ....that's not our family at all, he would laugh. He was a really fun guy and we enjoyed a lot of laughs together, mostly by phone but often in person. I will miss the good craik!

The world has just become a darker place with the passing of my dear old friend Ollan. You are missed and always will be. I raise a glass to your name. Go n-éiri an bóthar leat Ollan. Rest in peace.

The three of us were double second cousins; our parents, Jack and Eithne, of Dawson Court were brother and sister respecftivelyl to Ollan’s parents, Joe and Tresi, of Cherryfield. Our childhood ties were strong and the memories keep on.There were also many strong links with Ollan when we met him intermittently in Canada for family get togethers. These bring back memories of his warmth, humour and wit. Our sympathy to our family and to his friends.

I pray that God comfort and bless Ollan's family and friends.

Dear Ollan: After 44 years of constant communication this is not easy--rejoinder "It was never meant to be easy, work on it". I love you and will miss your firm voice, your presence, and that gentle, deliberate, articulate opinion that came so naturally ("I worked on that too, ya know!") Thank you for that omni presence. A rare gift. The world was most surely a better place with you in it. "Oh, that there were more like you". Your love of the written and spoken word, your genuine affection of persons who wanted to do good, your intolerance of politicians and people in high places who "screwed up" and made life more difficult that it needed to be. Ollan, you always made life less difficult for the many who were fortunate enough to know you. 'Til the very end you found time to serve both kith and kin, friends and sometimes foes alike. "We have not here a lasting city but one that is to come" Saint Augustine. Life is not ended,just changed. Slan leat a cara. P.S. My family association with the Delanys goes back a long, long way to rugby in the 20s, 30s, and 40s. Joe Delany was the presdent of Bective Rangers, my late dad Eamon, was president of UCD RFC and of the Leinster branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union. This rugby association led to Joe's advertising firm doing all the advertising work for Irish Shipping Limited when my dad was Chairman. Ollan kept all that advertising material and gave it to me some 20 years ago not knowing that our respective fathers knew each other. Perhaps he did and never said it. John

Hello, I did not have the chance to meet Ollan, but I know his sister Bria. In my family we have great respect and deep affection for her. God bless her family and her brother. Marie

I am sad to have confirmed, belatedly, Ollan's passing. I last saw and had lunch with my fellow "gym mate" this August past in the garden of his new residence. We shared tea or a lunch from time to time. He shared herbs from his garden, as well his own "Residence Choice" Seville Marmalade, enjoyed by all my family. I got to know Ollan in the last two or three years as a good conversationali st. We shared common values and enjoyed many discussions on a variety of topics; I will miss that. I will also miss his voice and good company. My condolences to the family. Bill Riggs and Family, Toronto