Jerry G. Olague

Jerry G. Olague, a longtime resident of Biloxi, passed away Sunday, February 8, 2015, at the age of 72 after a sudden illness. Jerry was born in Pontiac, Michigan to Josephine and Guadalupe Olague. He graduated from Pontiac Central High School where he competed in pole-vaulting. A wonderful dancer, Jerry taught ballroom dance at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio with his sister Armida. Jerry attended and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi. He proudly served in the military, beginning with US Navy boot camp in December 1959. He changed branches to the US Air Force in 1966-1974 with tours at Clark AFB Philippines, McClellan AFB California, McCoy AFB Florida, and Barksdale AFB Louisiana. In 1974 he returned to the Navy with tours at Mayport NAS Orlando, on the destroyer ship USS Stirbling, the fleet oiler ship USS Canisteo, NASA, the International Naval Review in New York, NY, NSA Naples Italy, and the Naval Oceanographic Office at Stennis Space Center. He was awarded high commendations in both the Air Force and in the Navy. Jerry met and married his wife Teresa Borrelli while stationed in Naples, Italy. They moved to Biloxi in 1980, where Jerry retired from the Navy in 1983. Together they owned and operated Borrelli's Ristorante Italiano for well over a decade of memorable years before he worked for the Mississippi Department of Tourism, retiring in 2009. In 2009 Jerry joined the Mississippi Gulf Coast Retiree Partnership, the organization which promotes the region as a premier relocation destination. Being a Hometown Ambassador came naturally to Jerry; he was an adept storyteller with a ready smile, knew what was best about the coast and took delight in sharing these things with visitors. Although Jerry continued to be an active volunteer in a number of coast organizations, he was steadfast in his devotion to the Partnership program and its objectives. Jerry and Teresa, his beloved and equally enthusiastic wife, could be found year round sharing their love of the coast with visitors to Cruisin’ the Coast, Seabee Day, National Tourism Week and the Biloxi Visitors Center as well as the Mississippi Welcome Centers in Hancock and Jackson counties. He remained involved in many other civic organizations, volunteering at the Harrison County Development Commission, Father Ryan House, The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic golf events, and Beauvoir. Jerry loved to attend Mardi Gras celebrations, Military galas and any social event with good people, good food and good wine, and he especially enjoyed riding on a Mardi Gras parade float every year. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Guadalupe and Josephine Olague. He is survived by his wife and companion of more than 36 years, Teresa Borrelli Olague; his daughter Regina (Todd) Yoder of Salt Lake City, Utah; his daughter Rebecca Olague of Portland, Oregon; his son Michael Olague of Biloxi; his sister Armida Castellanos of Waterford, Michigan; his grandson Kyle Yoder of the University of Missouri, and several cousins. Everyone who knew Jerry remember him as an enthusiastic ambassador of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, ardent history buff, passionate golfer, dedicated husband and father and dog lover; an energetic man with a ready smile, zest for life, and joyful humor. He will be greatly missed by all, including by his beloved dogs: the late Max, who is with Jerry now, Nina Soprano, Guido Corleone and Giginiello Corleone, known to Jerry as “The Chiweasel.” His family would like to give heart-felt appreciation to our closest and best friends who helped us so much during Jerry’s final days: Margie Randall, Tim and Jeanie Chadick, Josh Chadick, Les Shelton, Marcia Crawford. Thanks, also, to all other dear friends who supported us. In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials be made to The Humane Society of South MS, 2615 25th Ave., Gulfport, MS 39501, or to Forever Home For Dog Rescue, 633 Market St., Pascagoula, MS 39567. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 18, 2015, at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 2511 Pass Road, in Biloxi where friends may visit from 11:00 a.m. until service time. Interment will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery with military honors.