Carl “Ole” Olsen, 77, of Tewksbury, passed away unexpectedly with his loving family by his side at the West Roxbury VA Hospital. He was the beloved husband of the late Susan (Laderoute) Olsen, with whom he shared 42 years, 7 months, and 6 days of marriage until her passing in 2018.
Born on July 8, 1947, in Manchester, NH, Carl had a journey-filled upbringing, spending time in Manchester, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Boston. He attended various schools before finding guidance and support at the Board of Child Care in Baltimore—now known as Everstand—a place that left a lasting impression on him. Grateful for the help he received, Carl returned to the organization in recent years and remained dedicated to giving back, routinely making donations and volunteering to support children in need.
After completing high school, Carl was drafted into the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Germany, as a medical condition delayed his deployment to Vietnam. Following his service, he pursued higher education at New Hampshire College, earning an Associates degree of Science.
A master carpenter by trade, Carl had an extraordinary talent for woodworking. He could take an idea and bring it to life effortlessly, creating pieces that were as functional as they were beautiful. Though he spent years running the Merit Gas Station in Downtown Lowell, his true passion was in carpentry, working on countless projects throughout the region.
He was very proud of his home. Doing much of the work on the property himself, Carl built it into something very special and unique. He and his wife spent many years opening their home to others, whether it be making it a gathering place for family functions, or allowing the home to serve as a safe place for family and friends in need. They also opened their home to a number of foster children throughout the years.
Carl had a love for life and the things that brought him joy. He was a dedicated bowler, even returning to the lanes just days after suffering his first stroke. He bowled at Bowlero in the Monday Night Prime Time and the Friday Casual Mixed leagues, always eager for the next game. He also had a deep appreciation for billiards and never turned down a good match. An avid reader, Carl was rarely spotted in his later years without his tablet, routinely finishing an entire book in little more than a day.
Above all, Carl was one-of-a-kind—a man with a unique spirit, a sharp mind, and a generous heart. He was immensely proud of his journey and the life and family he built. He formed strong, lasting friendships, including with his longtime close friend, Mark Wilson of Chelmsford.
Carl leaves behind his daughter, Kimberly A. Landry and her husband, Jeff, of Wilton, NH; his grandchildren, Jeffrey Landry Jr. of Wilton, NH, Aleah Landry and her partner, Stephen Goode, of Lowell, MA, Sean Paul MacKenzie of Woburn, Jordan Olsen-MacKenzie of Tewksbury, and Faith MacKenzie of Tewksbury. He also leaves behind his siblings, Margaret Riley, of Florida, Alfred Cassidy Sr., of Bedford, NH, Georgia Lamper of Bow, NH, Chazette Catania, of Seabrook, NH; as well as many cherished friends and extended family members.
He was predeceased by his beloved daughter, Miranda “Mandi” Kim Olsen, who passed away in 2015. Carl was also predeceased by his birth parents, Aurora Rose Cassidy (Phillips) and Arthur Percy Corliss; his adoptive parents George Gordon Olsen and Anne Elizabeth Marcy; his brothers Arthur, Norman, and Edgar Olsen; sisters Shirley Avery, Charlotte Crocker, and Linda Brown; two nephews, Arthur Olsen and George Gordon Olsen; and a great-niece Arianna Smith and a great-great niece Hadley Paolucci.
Carl’s memory will live on in the lives he touched, the friendships he built, and the craftsmanship he left behind.
All are welcome to attend his visitation and funeral services. On Thursday, February 20, 2025, his visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Tewksbury Funeral Home, 1 Dewey Street, Tewksbury, MA . His funeral service will take place at the conclusion of the calling hours at 7pm. Please consider a donation to Everstand out of Baltimore at https://www.everstand.org/donate/. Please find us on Facebook or visit www.TewksburyFuneralHome.com to leave the family a message of condolence at any time.