Cedric D Ollison

The sun gloriously rose for Cedric Douglas Ollison on April 19,1938 in Pittsburgh, PA.  He was the second of five children born to Frederick and Henrietta Ollison, who preceded him in death.  The sun triumphantly set for Cedric on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA, after a long illness with prostrate  cancer and heart failure.

In his early youth, Cedric served as an altar boy at St. Benedict Catholic Church where the family worshipped.  He was educated in the Pittsburgh Public Schools graduating from Schenley High School in 1956.  During his years in high school, he was on the football team, sang in the Glee Club and played the clarinet.  He was a mathematical whiz which lead him to study engineering and mathematics at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania on an academic scholarship.  While at Lincoln he joined Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and was chapter president in his senior year.  After graduating from Lincoln University in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics, he taught advanced math in the Chester County, (PA) Public School District.  He later enlisted in the United States Army and provided mathematical instruction and course remediation for the Armed Forces while stationed in Germany.

Upon his return to civilian life, Ced taught math in the Pittsburgh Public Schools.  It was during this time that he began to spend more time guiding students through personal challenges that were impacting their academic success.  This would ultimately lead to his enrollment in the Triple-T Masters/Doctorial Program in Counselor Education at the University if Pittsburgh.  As a guidance counselor at Carrick High School in the seventies, he was greatly admired and highly respected by students and colleagues.  His friendly, warm and peaceful demeanor set a calming tone in his interactions with others.  He was a sincere advocate for students who releid upon him as they selected paths of future careers and productive actions.  This was the era of desegregating the public schools and he was extremely instrumental in bridging the polarized races and factions at Carrick High School.  In addition to his career as a public school educator, Cedric worked as a social worker for Allegheny County Children Youth and Families and youth advisor at Warrendale Youth Development Center.

During his later years, he spent much of his time at the Homewood Library, reading, checking out mystery novels and DVDs weekly and siiocializing with the library staff and friends.  He loved to read the newspaper and Reader's Digest, take daily walks and watch sports on television.  Most importantly, he enjoyed the long distance telephone conversations with his son, Cedric Jr. about he games that were in progress.

Cedric is survived by son, Cedric Douglas Ollison, Jr. from his marriage to the late Priscilla Martin Smith and step-daughter, Juwana Smith; step-daughter  Karen Williamson from his second marriage to the late Gloria Williamson; grandchildren, DeShawn and Alisha Ollison; sisters, Freda Ollison, Phyllis Parker (Leon), Cheryl Rannels and Westlynn Davis (Ricco) and a host of loving relatives and friends.