Jerry Leon Olmsted, age 79, peacefully entered eternal rest on October 21, 2024, at Yale New Haven Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.
He was the beloved husband of fifty-eight beautiful years to Susan (Weislo) Olmsted.Jerry was born in Bridgeport on June 20, 1945, son of the late Dwight and Helen Plude Olmsted. He was raised in Bridgeport before moving to Ansonia in 1970. Growing up, he was a staple at the Boys and Girls Club, where he developed a love for sports, especially basketball.
He graduated from Central High School in Bridgeport and met his soulmate, Susan, at Southern Connecticut State University.
Jerry proudly served in the Reserves for the Army National Guard and spent most of his career in the millworking trade. Jerry found joy in many places, especially all things sports-related. “Mr. O” coached numerous teams, teaching his daughters and their friends the value of teamwork, sportsmanship, and not taking yourself too seriously.
His greatest source of pride was his family. He adored his grandchildren and spent many hours on the bleachers, in the stands, and watching videos of them playing the sports they loved.
He was a long-time parishioner of Assumption Church in Ansonia, serving on the finance committee, and volunteering for the Saturday morning community breakfasts. He loved the fellowship that came from serving others. He especially loved “his athletes” that he worked with for years as a volunteer for the Connecticut Special Olympics every summer.
Jerry refused to let a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease in 2012 get in the way of the life he wanted to live. He continued to travel with Susan, play squash and racquetball, and spend time serving the community he loved so much.
In the face of what were undoubtedly painful days for him, he selflessly remained concerned with the comfort and safety of those he loved above all else.
He would undeniably be grateful for the nearly six decades of love and partnership with Susan, who remained his greatest advocate until he went home to God.
He will always be remembered for his legacy of kindness, love, sense of humor, generosity, and courage, and he will be so dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
In addition to his wife Susan, Jerry leaves to cherish his memory, three loving daughters, Erika Fleig (Dave) of Newington, Dana Theisen (Todd Smith) of Sarasota, FL, and Rebekka Enes (Jamie) of Berlin, grandchildren, Jeremy, Evan, Jake, Andrew, Sam, Emma and Max, brothers, Jack Lumley (Shirley) of Fairfield, Pete Lumley of NC, and Ron Olmsted (Marilyn) of Fort Myers, FL along with several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his infant son, Christopher Olmsted, a brother, Vern Lumley and a sister, Barbara Pagerino. Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family and pay their respects on Friday, October 25, 2024, from 4:00 – 7:00 pm in the chapel of SPINELLI-RICCIUTI FUNERAL HOME, 62 Beaver Street in Ansonia.
On Saturday morning at 10:00 am, all are invited to attend his funeral by meeting directly at the Church of the Assumption in Ansonia for his Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jerry’s memory may be made directly to the Connecticut Special Olympics at https://support.specialolympics.org. or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation at https://give.michaeljfox.org.
To sign Jerry’s guestbook or share a memory, please visit, www.spinelliricciutifh.com.
