John Richard Olsen

John R. Olsen, 85, of Cranston, Rhode Island, devoted husband to Mily, passed away peacefully accompanied by loved ones, on March 29, 2023. Born in Brooklyn, New York on March 18, 1938, to the late John and Irene (Greene), "Jack," as he was known to those closest to him, loved travel, nature, literature and the arts, and especially enjoyed listening and dancing to jazz and blues. Receiving an honorable discharge from the United States Navy after eight years of service, he earned his Bachelor's degree in English from Providence College, and Masters in Education and Psychology from Brown University. A teacher his entire professional and post-professional life, he dedicated 30 years to teaching English at Cranston High School West, and in retirement continued to teach as an Associate Professor at Johnson and Wales University until 2015 - also volunteering to teach adult literacy skills at Crossroads in Providence. As a reflection of his love for literature and the arts and commitment to contribute to shaping the minds of younger generations, at Cranston West he championed student creativity as the driving faculty force behind Contempora, an annually printed collection of short stories, poems and sketches by West students.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 25 years, Mily (Bandyopadhyay), son, Derek and his wife Nicole, sister, Lorretta Dion, granddaughter Ava, stepdaughter, Lisa Lukasek, and cherished nieces and nephews. He joins in rest his parents, sisters Audrey Horner, Lenore Locklear and Renee Altman and brother, Robert.

A celebration of his life will be held Wednesday, April 5, beginning at noon, at the Hope and Memory Chapel of Swan Point Cemetery, 585 Blackstone Blvd., Providence, Rhode Island. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his honor to either the Sisters of Mercy or HopeHealth Philip Hulitar Hospice Care Center.

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