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Eugene Olaff, former head of NJ State Police and pro soccer player

Col. Eugene Olaff, 96, a former New Jersey State Police superintendent who achieved national renown as a professional soccer star, died Tuesday, Jan. 17, at Brookdale Assisted Living in Florence.

Eugene Olaff
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Col. Eugene Olaff, 96, a former New Jersey State Police superintendent who achieved national renown as a professional soccer star, died Tuesday, Jan. 17, at Brookdale Assisted Living in Florence.

Col. Olaff, a veteran of World War II, founded the state police's diving recovery unit in 1958, the first of its kind in the country. He was also an accomplished goalie in professional soccer, and played in American Soccer League championships in the 1940s and 1950s. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1971.

Col. Olaff, born in Bayonne, N.J., as the son of Victor and Irene MacGregor Olaff, was a Navy diver during World War II. He joined the state police after ending his service and moved to Florence with his family in 1950. He retired from the state police after nearly 30 years of service.

He played with the Brooklyn Hispano in the American Soccer League from 1941 to 1953, winning the National Challenge Cup in 1943, and the ASL and National Challenge the following year. He was named an all-star and was selected to play for the U.S. national team in the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, but declined due to his job with the state police, his family said.

Col. Olaff was an active member of his community, serving as a Sunday school teacher and founding a Boys and Girls Club. He cofounded the Florence Township Recreation Committee, serving as its president for 20 years, and coached kids in baseball and boxing for many years.

"Whatever spare time he had, he spent it in the community," said daughter-in-law Pamela Olaff. "Everyone who ever met him, he left a mark in their lives."

He is survived by son Eugene; a sister; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Doris, and son Gary.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, and 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 23, at the Dennison Funeral Home, 214 W. Front St., Florence. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Interment will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Burlington City.

Donations may be made to Florence United Methodist Church, 209 Broad St., Florence, N.J. 08518.

asteele@phillynews.com

856-779-3876 @AESteele