Joseph Richard Ollinger

Joseph (Joe) R. Ollinger, 76, died on August 21, 2022, in Salisbury, Maryland.  He was born in Detroit, Michigan, on May 8, 1946, to his parents Charles Ollinger and Violet (Cairns) Ollinger.  He grew up in Saugerties, New York, a quaint village nestled between the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains.

Joe’s career from age nineteen  to retirement was related to the computer industry.  He was employed by IBM in various US cities for eighteen years.  In 1984, Joe moved to Salisbury, Maryland to join Data Services, Inc. as its CEO and President and later as one of its owners.  After twenty years, he sold his half of the company and retired in 2004.

Joe was involved civically and politically in Wicomico County.  In 2010, he was the Republican candidate for County Executive.

Throughout his life, Joe had a passion for adventuresome travel.  With hiking boots on their feet, the clothes on their back and the contents of a backpack apiece, Joe, along with his dear wife, Pam, perfected the art of “traveling light.”  They hiked and explored many cities and countrysides of the US, Canada, Europe, and also parts of Central and South America.  Joe especially enjoyed the State and National Parks of the US and the scenic landscapes of England and Scotland.  In the year 2000, to celebrate the new millennium, Joe bicycled 4300 miles from the Atlantic Ocean at Ocean City, Maryland to the Pacific Ocean at Oceanside, Oregon.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents.

Joe is survived by his wife of 41 years, Pamela L. Ollinger; children Michael, Lisa, and Derrick (Alyssa Domzal); granddaughters Abigail and Ruby; brothers Gerald (Sylvia), Jeffrey, and Charles (Teresa); and cousins Diane and David Ollinger, and Donna Cormier.

Memorial donations may be made to Richard A. Henson Family YMCA’s children’s summer programs, P. O. Box 3296 Salisbury, MD 21802, or the charity of your choice.

Family and friends may visit Joe’s family at a Memorial Gathering Saturday, September 10th, between the hours of 11:00 am – 2:00 pm in Fellowship Hall, Asbury United Methodist Church, 1401 Camden Ave., Salisbury, MD 21801. A buffet lunch will be provided.

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