Dave Olsen (far left) with in-laws Peter and Grace Belmonte, wife Stephanie and daughters Caitlin and Emily at 2010 Relay for Life at which he was the Survivor Honoree of the Year. Photo Courtesy HB Relay for Life
Howard Beach was deeply saddened over the passing of one of its beloved community members shortly before Thanksgiving.
Dave Olsen was well known to many as the pharmacist in Waldbaum’s for nearly 15 years and also served as a dedicated volunteer for the Howard Beach Relay for Life.
Dave was diagnosed with cancer four years ago––in fact he received the news one week before the first relay took place. But he did not let that stop him; he continued to bring his cheer, hope and encouragement, not only to the event each and every year but also throughout the year, despite being so ill himself.
He is someone that will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him and certainly by the HB Relay community.
Following are some thoughts about Dave from the Relay chair, Phyllis Inserillo:
Every year that we have joined together at Charles Park for the ACS Relay For Life, one of the parts that I always looked forward to the most is visiting the survivors’ reception right after the first lap.
For five years, the same person always greeted me first ––Dave Olsen. His wife Stephanie and their daughters, Caitlin and Emily, were never far behind, serving food and handing out gifts.
They are a family dedicated to the greater good, inspiring everyone along the way.
I remember Dave’s diagnosis, just a week before the first relay; he had spent the weeks prior fund raising with his girls at the little league, at church and even holding a lemonade sale with me and my kids at the Memorial Day parade. It was hard to understand how someone who was so full of life had this terrible disease.
Initially, I feared his diagnosis would lead to him shying away from Relay, but he never strayed and was always there, willing to help.
I came to learn that Dave lived his entire life according to the premise upon which Relay was built: try to make someone’s life a little bit better, just by being there.
As chair of the event for the last five years and being a family friend of the Olsen’s for even longer, I witnessed the love that Dave has for his children, wife and extended family.
For over 14 years as the pharmacist at Waldbaum’s on Cross Bay Boulevard, he showed tremendous patience and kindness to all of his customers.
At his funeral mass, long time friend Father John described him. “ Dave not only taught us how to live, he taught us how to die.” Having decided to forego a holistic approach that would have taken him out of state when doctors told him that conventional treatments wouldn’t help him, he just wanted to stay home and live the rest of his life peacefully. He wanted to be with his family and for them to have the most normal life possible. He was worried about them not himself.
Dave’s influence is evident in the way his daughters have handled his death. They are strong and there for one another and their mom ––who has shown herself to be an amazing woman.
Many may question how they will get through this but I know they will, having been taught by someone so wonderful and so selfless.
Dave will be missed on the track at Relay but there is no doubt that he will be watching the survivor lap from up above offering the loving brand of encouragement that was his trademark.
Rest in peace Dave and know that the mark you made on us will live a thousand lifetimes.
By Patricia Adams
