After years of dedication to Brewster High School, Head Custodian, Mr. Lars Olenius is retiring, leaving behind a legacy built on hard work, kindness, and the relationships he formed with students and staff over the years.
His journey into education began long before he ever worked at Brewster. Growing up, his father retired from the city in the 1970s and took a second career job at St. Lawrence O’Toole as a head custodian. Because he spent so much time around the school while his father worked there, the environment already felt familiar. That early exposure would eventually inspire him to follow a similar path of his own.
Before beginning his career in Brewster, he explored several different fields. After attending college for a couple of years, he realized that a traditional white-collar job wasn’t the right fit for him. Instead he entered the electrical apprenticeship field at a local company, where he also worked on home construction projects. During that time, he took an evening job creating custom molding and flooring for an international company. Within a few years, he got married and accepted a position at NYSEG. However, after eight years there, deregulation led to layoffs for employees with fewer than ten years of service. Soon after, he found work as a night cleaner at JFK, beginning what would become a long and meaningful career in Brewster Schools.
Starting out as a night cleaner at JFK, he worked his way through the district and eventually became the head custodian at Brewster High School. Throughout the years, he became a familiar face in the halls, known for his reliability, dedication, and willingness to help wherever needed. While many students may not always notice the work custodians do behind the scenes, their efforts help keep the school running smoothly every single day.
When reflecting on the highlights of his career, one thing stands out most: watching students grow and mature over the years. Seeing freshmen enter the building and eventually leave as confident seniors has brought him a sense of pride and fulfillment. He said one of the most rewarding parts of the job was witnessing how quickly students change and develop during their high school years.
As he prepares to retire, there is a lot he says he will miss about Brewster High School. Above all, he will miss the students and the people he worked alongside everyday. At the same time, he certainly won’t miss coming into work on the weekends, holidays, and snow days to check the building.
For students thinking about their own futures, he offers some simple but meaningful advice: enjoy every moment, don’t let the little things bother you, and remember that everything works out in the end.
Outside of work, family has always been a central part of his life. He shared that he has three children who attended Brewster High School, and he is now expecting his fifth grandchild. Continuing with the family tradition, three of his grandchildren will attend BHS in the future.
Although he may be retiring, the impact of Mr. Olenius’ work on the Brewster community will never be forgotten. His years of dedication, care, and commitment helped make the school a welcoming place for generations of students and staff alike.