Edward C. Oldenquist

Edward C. Oldenquist, 67, passed away Sunday morning, September 8,2024 at UMass Memorial Medical Center, University Campus. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Donna (Downey) Oldenquist, and their three sons, Andrew and Tara Mohamed of Littleton, MA., Joshua of Fitchburg MA., John and Nicole Tabales of Fitchburg, MA., and his grandchildren, Oliver, Willow, Isabel, Aidan, Emmett, Aiyana, Kaiya, Josiah and Talya. His brother-in-laws, Brian Downey and Kathleen, and Mark Downey and wife Stacia, and nieces and nephews and extended family members. 

Edward was born in Concord, Massachusetts on Halloween, October 31, 1957 - a trick, a treat, or a little bit of both? He was the oldest son of the late, William H. Oldenquist and Angelina M (Lombardo) Oldenquist, and predeceased by his two younger brothers William Jr. and Daniel. 

He was known to some as Ed, others knew him as Eddie, and as Dad to his boys, and his most cherished name was Papa, given to him by his beautiful grand babies, who he adored with all his heart. He was a kind, caring and gentle soul, who enjoyed the simple things in life, from his daily iced coffee from Gourmet Donuts, to dinners at his favorite restaurant Il Camino where he always ordered his chicken parmesan, to a quiet night at home by the fireplace. He loved fishing with his boys, family camping trips, ice cream at Kimball's, or Rota Springs for dinner, and of course his truck shows. When his boys were young, you could often find him sitting in the sandbox, excavating or hauling loads of sand with the boys construction trucks. 

His biggest passion in life besides his family was his love of driving his ten-wheeler dump truck. He drove locally for many years for J. Melone and Sons of Stow, MA, and Frank Maurer Co. of Sudbury, MA. He always welcomed a winter with plenty of snow for the snowplow season, and cherished having Donna or one of the boys along for the ride. Once his driving years came to an end, he found a whole new passion in his workshop, spending hours creating and designing wooden trucks of all kinds, furniture for love ones and wooden toys for his grandchildren. 

His wishes were when he departed this earth was to keep things simple, and if you knew him well he always said, “when I die, just shake and bake me,” “Keep it Simple!” He will forever be carried in the hearts of all who knew him, and forever be our warrior, as he fought the fight to the bitter end. He definitely earned his wings. 

Family and friends are welcome to come by and enjoy some of his favorite foods, honor him, remember him, or share some favorite stories, in the comfort of their family home on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024 between the hours of 1:00pm- 4:00pm 

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, Edward's family asks to consider making donations to your local police or fire department, or charity of your choosing in his honor.