Leduc man celebrating 50 years on the job with no plans of quitting

After 50 years of working at Leduc Chrysler, Rolly Olsen was awarded the key to the city, but he doesn't plan on retiring any time soon.

A lot has changed at Leduc Chrysler Jeep over 50 years. Rolly Olsen would know; he’s worked there that long.

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In 1975, Olsen was working at a different dealership when Leduc’s new Chrysler owner – an acquaintance – walked in, in search of someone to run his parts department.

“We had a chat. I accepted the job,” Olsen recalled during an interview with CTV News Edmonton on Tuesday. “It’s been a slice ever since.”

In charge of inventory control, Olsen starts at 5 a.m. five days a week to manage the parts that arrive at the shop.

“It’s really all I know. I’ve been in the automotive business, the parts business, since I was 18 years old,” he said.

“It’s nice. And retirement? I have no plans.”

So long as his health allows, Olsen plans on continuing to work at Leduc Chrysler Jeep. He can’t imagine how else he’d spend his days.

The dealership south of Edmonton has served as a lens for viewing the ever-evolving world.

From leadership changes, to building moves and renovations, to technological advancements, Olsen has watched it all from Leduc Chrysler Jeep.

“We went to computers in 1993, I think,” he told CTV News Edmonton. “It’s been a ride.”

Among his fondest memories is the time he drove a car through the wall at the business’ new – and current – location.

“The technician had put a note on the sun visor that said, ‘Do not drive. No brakes.’ Except he put the sun visor up,” Olsen recalled with a chuckle. “Bricks went flying.”

“It was a brand new building. So when our owner came to work that day and he saw what had happened, he shook his head and then he started to laugh. He thought it was pretty funny.”

But his most treasured memories are with his bosses and colleagues, who are really the reason Olsen says he sticks around.

Many of them – and some who he didn’t remember – attended an anniversary party on May 12, where Olsen was gifted a new vehicle.

“I’ve been well looked after here.”

When asked for advice to a young person beginning their career, Olsen said, “Get up in the morning with a smile on your face. Come to work. Be on time and do your job.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Brandon Lynch