Eric Olsen

Eric Orville Olsen passed away in Madison, Wisconsin on December 21, 2020, at the age of 58.  Eric was born in Boston, Massachusetts to Ward and Peg Olsen in 1962 with Down Syndrome, but that presented no barrier to living a remarkably full and accomplished life.  He was a pioneer in many respects -- he was educated in the Madison public school system (a 1983 graduate of Memorial High); lived independently as an adult with the assistance of Options in Community Living; and was a proud member of the workforce until shortly before his death.

As a child, Eric loved swimming at Willow Beach and Shorewood Pool, basketball on the driveway with his brother (Edward) and sister (Julia), sailing with his family on Lake Mendota, canoe trips in Canada, ski trips in Northern Wisconsin, family hikes on Picnic Point and Cherokee Marsh, a variety of sports in the Special Olympics, and outdoor games after supper with the neighborhood kids during the summer months.  The fact that Eric was educated in the public school system is a testament to a lifetime of advocacy for people with developmental disabilities by his mother, Peg.

As an adult, Eric demonstrated a strong work ethic, often holding two jobs at once with the assistance of Community Work Services.  He worked at Findorff & Son for 25 years, the National Conference of Bar Examiners for 14 years, and the Heartland Credit Union for 18 years.  He was also a volunteer at WORT FM, a Madison radio station, for many years.  He was well known at the Echo Tap, where he stopped for lunch between his morning job and his afternoon job for a grilled cheese, coleslaw, and his beloved coke.  Employees always made sure that Eric was seated at his favorite spot at the counter.

In his spare time, Eric loved live music, listening to CDs (John Denver, the University of Wisconsin Marching Band, Beyonce, and Whitney Houston, to name of a few), dancing, parties, and a good meal (he savored every morsel in a leisurely fashion).  Most of all, though, Eric loved to be in the presence of his friends and family.  Although not a man of many words, Eric had a knack for putting everyone in the room at ease with his infectious smile, sense of humor, a simple nod or shrug, his relentless good mood, and a long hug if given the opportunity.  He loved annual family vacations in California, Oregon, and Wisconsin; dinner with his parents on Sundays; watching the Green Bay Packers; spending time with his roommates and all of the amazing staff at Options in Community Living over the years, and the road trips he made with his brother and sister.

Eric was incredible person who brought joy to everyone he met, especially his family.  He was affectionate, kind, wise, charming, eager to please, and generous (except if that required sharing his food).  His default response to just about everything was “sure!”  He expressed his appreciation and love easily and often.  He built long-lasting friendships and will be missed tremendously by his friends and family.  He made his parents proud. He will live on in spirit through his parents Ward and Peg, his nieces and nephews Celia, Neve, Teigan, Aidan and Christian, his siblings Edward and Julia, their spouses Debrah and Tori, and Eric's large extended family.

Eric would want to express a special appreciation to the staff of both Options in Community Living and Community Work Services.  This includes his longtime friends and helpers: Chuy, Ousman, Julie, the Kims, Sharon and countless others.  Eric regarded each and every one of them as family members, and for good reason.  They helped Eric achieve the life that his family wanted for him and, more importantly, the life that Eric wanted to live.  Eric and the entire Olsen family is grateful for their support, respect, love and kindness over the course of many decades.

Special thanks to Dr Bill Schwab for a lifetime of care for Eric.

A Memorial will be announced and held at a later date.