Willy Jens Olsen

June 12, 1931 - May 27, 2019
With aching hearts, we announce the passing of Willy Jens Olsen at Chilliwack General Hospital, from congestive heart failure, on May 27th, just 2 weeks short of his 88th birthday. HE WAS A GENTLEMAN - AND A "GENTLE MAN"!
Willy was born at Vancouver General Hospital and taken home to Pioneer Gold Mine where he spent his youth; later moving to the
Kerrisdale district in Vancouver, where he attended Maple Grove Elementary, Point Grey Junior High and graduated from Magee High School, making four special "life- long" buddies, who stuck together and later, when all were married, the 'guys and gals' became known as "The Old Gang" (and those remaining are still good friends).
Willy excelled in Senior A basketball, and was part of "King's Men", a young mens' club, at Ryerson United Church. He worked for the same company in the fine paper industry, right out of school and until retirement. He met and married a "prairie girl", Verlene Quinlan, in 1955 and they spent 18 wonderful years in Nelson, B.C. where they were members of the Lions Club, Nelson Golf & Country Club and Nelson Curling Club.
It was there, in Nelson, in 1961 that their son, Bradley Scott Olsen, completed their family.
In 1975, a job transfer took the Olsens to Coquitlam until they both retired and moved to Chilliwack in 1993. Here, they were members of the Chilliwack Golf & Country Club and the Curling Club. Willy, "the athlete" could boast of 3 holes-in-one in golf, and an 8-ender in curling. He was also a fervent Cribbage player.
Willy will be sorely missed by his wife, Verlene, of 64 years; his son, Brad; brother and sister-in law, Gary and Joanne Quinlan; sister-in-law, Gayle Hicox; one niece, Holly; and 3 nephews, Chris, Mark, and Randy.
A heartfelt thanks to our very special doctor for his wonderful care and comforting words.
There will be a Celebration of Life at the Promontory Lake Estates Clubhouse on June 12th from 1- 4 pm; 6001 Promontory Rd., Chilliwack, BC Memorial Donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of BC.