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Carl Richard Olsen - Class of 1978

Submitted by Bill Norvell 1965 <w.norvell@att.net> on 26/Jun/2023
107.145.178.172

    Carl Richard Olsen - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our brother, Carl. He was the youngest of 5 children born to John and Vera Olsen of Newburgh, NY Carl's Facebook quote truly reflected his personality:

"There are no strangers, just friends I haven't met yet."

Anyone who was blessed to have known him, knew Carl was a kind and caring human being, always ready to make a new friend, share a laugh and of course, a beer!

Although he eventually settled and raised his family in Syracuse, the friends Carl had as a youngster growing up in Newburgh remained some of his dearest friends throughout his life. One of his closest friends since elementary school, Steve Guarino, recently shared how he was just moving into our neighborhood and clearly remembers Carl calling across the street to him on moving day, asking him to join in the neighborhood kickball game that was going on. They were best buddies ever since! Carl always seemed to make new friends easily, a trait that led to that Facebook quote of his, decades later.

As many young boys, he loved fast cars and motorcycle's¦ starting out at a young age with one of those 1970s, mini-bikes, and eventually owning a Harley and working for the Harley Davidson dealership in Syracuse!

His dream job! Carl also had a great love of music he started "Carl's Music Page" on Facebook as well, sharing his love of the diverse musicians, bands and singers he admired, with all who were interested.

Carl moved to Syracuse in the 1980's and eventually married his love, Cathy Narby, a Syracuse native. He legally adopted her 2-year-old son Michael as his own, and soon they welcomed the birth of their daughter Alyssa, his "Squeeze". Their family was complete. His son Michael's post to Carl on Facebook, soon after his death, truly touched my heart. Michael wrote: You took me on as your own when I was 2 years old, and never once in my life did I feel like I was anything but your child. Being a Dad is hard enough, but raising a child that isn't yours, certainly can't be any easier. This spoke volumes of my brother's loving nature. Michael was truly his son and that was that !

I'm not sure what year their beloved black lab, Bart, came into the picture but I do know Carl just gave me a nudge as I'm typing this, to be sure I included Bart in the family circle. ;-) I must admit, Bart was one special dog, trained to open the fridge door by pulling on a dishtowel that was tied to the handle, then gently removed a beer with his mouth and delivered it to Carl unharmed, upon hearing the command, Bart, get Daddy a beer! (there's a funny story of a friend calling their home answering machine multiple times one day, leaving that command as the message, and Carl came home to several warm beers, loyally placed by his recliner! )

Carl was widowed in 2009 when Cathy lost her valiant battle with breast cancer at the age of 44. When Cath was diagnosed, there was no doubt that Carl would be there by her side through it all, he even shaved his head in solidarity when she lost her hair due to chemo and the sight of him bald gave her quite a chuckle. That was something they always had in common the ability to find something to laugh about, no matter the situation. As much as Carl loved being a Granddad, I know it pained him that Cathy wasn't there to share that joy with him. He knew she was, watching from afar, but her physical absence was deeply felt. She was definitely a Presence, and her unconditional love, the glue that held them all together.

The following is a poem Carl read at our mother's funeral in 2005. He told me it was something he had clipped from a newspaper and kept in his wallet for years for his kids to read, in case anything ever happened to him. But that day, he wanted to read it for our Mom.

To My Dearest Family

Please know that I am here, and I am Here.

There is no difference between one thing and the next,

in Life or Departure.

It is an ongoing process, a Transition only. Evolvement.

I desert you not, now or ever.

Look for me in a stranger's smile.

Hear me in a child's song.

Feel me in a rainstorm near the sea.

Call to me in a windy field and I will dance for you.

And rest assured in the knowledge always,

that I will be there to greet and counsel you,

When you slip the veil to meet me.

So, as sad as we all are about our brother's early passing, we find peace in the fact that we know for sure, He is now healthy, he is happy and he is with his loved ones who passed before him. Hopefully riding a Harley with Cath in heaven, keeping watch over Gia, Carter, Landon and Hudson along with their grandmother, from afar.

Rest in Heavenly Peace little brother. We will love and remember you always and look forward to being greeted by you, when we too, Slip the Veil to meet you. - April 9, 1960 - May 29, 2023