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Earl Olsen Obituary
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DOUGLAS LEE
August 8, 2020
Kind, warm, caring, friendly, giving, dependable, unassuming, sincere, genuine: That's how we'll always remember Earl. As my parents' neighbor, Earl was the quintessential next door neighbor--he was never a stranger. Whether it was clearing a blizzard's 3 feet of newly fallen snow on our driveway , or just chatting outside, it was always a pleasure to see Earl. Conversations always flowed so easily. So often we would just say hello and before you knew it, an hour passed. Earl's knowledge of things was as extensive as the tools in his workshop. We could talk about family, the forest, the design of his house addition, the solar panels or the tuned up Volvos. Even though we would only see Earl during visits to my parents, Earl was so easy to know and appreciate. I can picture Earl's smile and hear his warm voice as he told countless stories. We will miss Earl.
Jim McLam
August 3, 2020
When Earl was in high school he obtained a '49 Hudson,I believe it was, that had "semi-automatic shift" which was unique for the day. The car and Earl spent the whole winter in the garage tinkering and being tinkered to perfection and when Spring finally came he invited me to go along for a test drive to make sure the brakes were working properly. To make the test a little more exciting it was decided to play a game of "chicken" with a telephone pole. Needless to say the car and I were appreciative of Earl's mechanical ability that day! Youth!....Another car story involving Earl's brother Toby although Earl may have benefitted from this too. I can't quite remember if it was a Volkswagen or a 1940's car that I know Toby had, but it started very hard in extreme cold and to help that situation Toby would build a fire and let it burn down to coals and then push them under the car so to warm up the engine and transmission oil that made starting easier! I'm pretty sure this is correct....Then there is the day Earl beat me swimming in the river at Sinclair's Bridge-he was on the UVM swim team! I also remember ALL the Olsen kids on the lawn at the side of the house taking bow and arrow lessons from their Dad and shooting at a target they had set up there. Earl was pretty accomplished at that as I recall.
Sandy and Jack Fuoco
July 31, 2020
Olsenfamily
So sorry for your loss
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Lynn Ranew
July 23, 2020
Earl was always happy, laughing and telling jokes. We went to Saint Augustine, Florida together and saw the Fountain of Youth. He was carrying Mathew, about 18 months old. As we walked out, he greeted a bus full of senior citizens walking in explaining to them that the babe in his arms was his grandfather. Everyone was laughing and smiling. He was very special. My deepest condolences to Lee, Chamonix and Mathew.
Chamonix Sikora
July 22, 2020
Here's the video. My dad was a joy. This is from about a year ago on one of our rides in the car. :) So grateful for all the time I had with him. So blessed to have had a dad like him.
At the Groton sub base for one of Jim's events.
Chamonix Sikora
July 22, 2020
great candid shot
Chamonix Sikora
July 22, 2020
nice candid shot
Chamonix Sikora
July 22, 2020
At AJ's, fav place to eat on Friday nights.
Chamonix Sikora
July 22, 2020
Showing off the toolbelt as I asked him to give a full picture of his set up. :)
Chamonix Sikora
July 22, 2020
I took this at Christmas. Always had a smile. :)
Chamonix Sikora
July 22, 2020
dad with his name written on his apron and his toolbelt, rag, etc.
Chamonix Sikora
July 22, 2020
mom and dad
Chamonix Sikora
July 22, 2020
me and dad
Chamonix Sikora
July 22, 2020
me and dad over the years
Chamonix Sikora
July 22, 2020
Chamonix Sikora
July 22, 2020
This is what I posted on fb the day after my dad went to heaven. I love you dad. I love seeing the posts from others about my dad. Like Jennifer who met dad at Durham Fitness. He would leave the house for the gym and not return for hours, I knew he was doing alot more than exercises there. Chatting to others and spreading his joy I'm sure and it's so good to see these posts and comments here! :)
Yesterday my funny and kind, man of God, dad, went to heaven. Earl Olsen, aka: the Duke of Earl, thus the video.
After 6 months of valiant fighting, he was released from his body and entered into glory. His last words to me are a gift right now: “remember, if I go to heaven tonight, it’s a good thing.” My dad daily sang made up, and his version of real songs, all the time. He even had special songs that he made up for me. As a child he woke me up in the mornings singing “Oh how she hates to get up in the morning” followed by “Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day”. He loved dancing around all silly. He maintained a child-like joy and silliness throughout his life that was infectious.
He had a joke and a smile for everyone. In my time of greatest need for years he cared for me and was my confidant, friend, helper, and huge source of love. He told anyone who made mention of how much he helped me: “I’m working for Jesus”. I am incredibly grateful for the many extra years as an adult that I was blessed to live with him and spend time with him like not many in their 30’s and 40’s are given opportunity of. And it wasn’t just me he helped, he without hesitation helped all in the neighborhood, family, and strangers. Humble and kind, everyone loved my dad.
And my dad loved in a pure, simple, but deep way. He loved my husband as a son and I loved being privy to seeing the expression of that. His faith in Jesus was also simple but solid and deep, all the way to the end, increasing even. He had so many sayings that will roll around in my head and come out of my mouth forever. “Two wrongs don’t make a right” “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” and “nothing difficult is ever easy” among many others!
Dad loved life and didn’t want to die, which made it all the harder to watch him slowly go. Yet God in whom I trust is an everlasting rock, and I may not understand and I just want to get rid of this pain, but God sees all and knows all, He’s bigger than me or dad, whom He created.
As an engineer, he was brilliant. The house he built and poured himself into so speaks of who he was. And THIS house (me) who he poured himself into, also speaks of who he was. He fixed our cars all my life. He was our protector, provider, and helper.a great representative of Our Father God. Selfless in so many ways.
I feel a massive hole and heartbreak, for where there is great love there is great loss. This is normal. The truth is I won’t see him here on this earth again, hear his silly songs or his laugh, hear him say “Chamonix!” with such joy and smile every time he saw me for the first time of the day, or get one of his hugs or his long explanations of engineering things I don’t totally get. The truth is, I will see him again one day in heaven and that is a day I look forward to! The truth is, somehow like all the other humans who have endured grief and loss and heartbreak, and walked to a place of peace and joy again, I too will follow.
I will never stop talking about my dad. I will remember him and aim to honor the dancing, singing, silly part in me and allow it to live all the days of my life.
Jennifer Baker
July 21, 2020
I am so sorry for your loss. I met Earl at Durham fitness and use to do the elliptical next to him on the treadmill and watch American pickers on tv with him. He will be truly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Sincerely ,
Jennifer
Marilyn DV I
July 19, 2020
I just tried to email your engineering classmate and friend at UVM, Carl Ettlinger, about your passing. Shockingly, Carl died 1 mo. earlier 6/19/20.https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/obituary-carl-f-ettlinger-ii-1943-2020/Content?oid=30671241
Look out for each other and God Bless both you and your families.
Marilyn
July 19, 2020
EARL, I FIRST MET YOU WHILE IN COLLEGE IN BURLINGTON, VT. I DATED ONE OF YOUR FRIENDS AND ENGINEERING CLASSMATES AT UVM AND ONCE MARRIED, I AGAIN MET YOU AND INTRODUCED YOU TO MY HUSBAND AT A FESTIVAL IN MILFORD, CT. I REMEMBER YOU AS BEING A VERY KIND, HUMBLE PERSON. REST IN PEACE, EARL, AND I AM SURE YOU WILL CONTINUE TO WATCH OVER YOUR FAMILY.
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