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Robert “Roy” Olsen Obituary
Robert Roy Olsen, known by everyone as Roy, passed away at the age of 81 in Camrose hospital with his children by his side. He is predeceased by his parents Bruce and Helen Olsen, infant son Brent, and grandson Eric. He will be remembered by his son Patrick and grandson Kevin in Calgary, and daughter Christina in Vancouver; siblings Maureen (Cam) Laing in Kingston ON, Greg (Barb) Olsen in Campbell River BC, and Val (Barry) Huber in Pritchard/Kelowna BC; nieces and nephews Alana (Daymond) Gauthier, Heather (Brad) Laing, Claire Olsen, Greer (MacKenzie) Olsen, Jared (Shayne) Huber, Colleen (Shane) Sondermann; and many grand nieces and nephews; as well as extended family on the Olsen and Lloyd sides.
Roy spent his early childhood in Warspite and later moved to Bashaw when his father became train station agent there (later town manager; his mother was town nurse). As an adult, Roy was married to Karen Carlyle for 15 years and lived in Edmonton where they raised their two kids. He had a 45-year career in the accounts department of Canadian Freightways and spent many evenings and weekends with various sports – as a longtime Edmonton Eskimo season ticket holder, an amatuer baseball umpire, and an adherent of a weekly golfing and merriment ritual with his buddies. He was also fond of road trips and got out hunting and fishing whenever he could, especially to the special spot at Buffalo Lake. In later years, just getting out to watch and listen to the birds brought him much joy (right to the end, he could still identify them from a quarter mile away!). In previous years, early morning sporting or outdoors excursions often involved a thermos of coffee with apricot brandy or cherry whiskey. In fact, he loved sugary treats of all kinds and was known for his stockpile of Pepsi and a vegetable crisper drawer full of chocolate bars. He may have been single-handedly keeping Hershey’s Cherry Blossom product line going all these decades.
Roy always cranked the radio dial to CFCW to catch the best Country & Western and was an avid reader, making constant use of the library to feed his keen appetite for history. Biographies, dramas, and even the odd romance novel could be found next to his chair. His chair also got a lot of action during hockey, PGA, NFL, and all the other televised sports seasons, especially to catch his beloved Minnesota Vikings.
Roy kept most personal things firmly close to his chest. He never mentioned it but he once received a commendation from the City of Edmonton for helping a special needs neighbour who was left alone after her parent had died in their home. He was also a longtime supporter of a few charities and non-profits, including Ducks Unlimited, PBS, and his public libraries in Edmonton and Bashaw.
Roy had a few sides to him. He could be stubborn, impatient, opinionated, brazen, and abrupt. He was also intelligent, curious, loyal, resourceful, grateful, hilarious, and fun. Many will mostly remember him as an outgoing, irreverent, and cheeky character. We all have plenty of stories on how all of it played out throughout his life.
Massive thanks to Roy’s longtime friends Mert Hameister and Ivan Gramlich who have gone far above and beyond what is expected in friendship and are true testament to loyalty and generosity. Deep gratitude to Greg and Barb for always having our backs. Huge thanks also to all of the Carlyles for their ongoing support in all things. Special thanks to the staff of Bashaw Meadows, Home Care, and St. Mary’s hospital in Camrose – your tremendous and important work makes all the difference. Roy also appreciated his fellow lodge residents and those who ran the local businesses and services he frequented. Thanks to everyone who made Bashaw a good place for Roy to return to his last years – he truly enjoyed living there.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local public library or bird habitat conservation organization. Or just enjoy a pickled egg, one of Roy’s “Special Coffees” (instant coffee and sambuca), or some quiet time watching birds at your favourite lake.
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January 26 1943 May 16 2024 81 Years Old
Death notice for the town of: Wetaskiwin, Province: Alberta
death notice Robert Roy Olsen January 26 1943 May 16 2024 81 Years Old
obituaries notice Robert Roy Olsen January 26 1943 May 16 2024 81 Years Old
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Robert Roy Olsen January 26 1943 May 16 2024 81 Years Old and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
