Peter Eric Olsen passed away peacefully in his home on March 8, 2021 at the age of 94. He will be remembered by all who knew him as an intelligent, kind person with a ready smile and a “yes, indeed!”
Peter was born in Duncan and grew up in Victoria, BC, son of Dr. Martin L. Olsen (Doc) a local veterinarian and Anne Olsen, devoted mother and adopted mother to many. He was well known at Victoria High School for his dramatic, artistic, and athletic talents in track and swimming. He performed with the Glee Club and drama productions. In 1945 he left Victoria to attend Colorado A&M University, his father’s alma mater, to study veterinary medicine. He joined Sigma Chi fraternity and managed to find the time, despite rigorous academic demands, to take leading roles in drama productions, swim on the varsity team, and stage class dances and pep rallies. During his senior year he won the Moss Essay Contest for his essay on ethics which became a stepping-stone to a coveted internship at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston.
In 1957 Peter established the Wilton Hospital for Animals in Wilton, Connecticut. He married and had four daughters. While running a nationally recognized veterinary practice he found time to play golf and maintain a 2 handicap, perform many leading roles for The Wilton Playshop, and travel around the world.
After his retirement from veterinary medicine in 1971 Peter and his family moved to Guadalajara, Mexico, where Peter envisioned a second career as an avocado rancher. This dream was thwarted by a car accident and a head injury shortly after arriving in Mexico. He returned to Victoria in 1973, after his divorce and spent many pleasant years here driving about town in his Austin Mini, playing golf, enjoying his photography and slide shows, and nurturing his garden. He will be missed by the many friends and family members who loved and supported him.
Peter is predeceased by his sister, Shirley Mellor and survived by his sister Jan Pallister; daughters Torie (Lupe), Anne, Martha (Michael) and Alie; granddaughters Shannon and Katie; lifelong friend Zakia, as well as an extended family of nieces and nephews and their children throughout Canada and the US.
Due to COVID, there will be a small family-only graveside service. A Celebration of Life will be held via Zoom on Saturday, March 20th, 2021 (for details please contact the family).
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Shauna Barnum Ray
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Mary Rambold To Peter’s family.
My sincere condolences for your loss. Peter was my childhood friend in Duncan BC before the family moved to Victoria. Many happy memories were made.
With loving sympathy
Mary Rambold (nee: Spencer )
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Anne Olsen And Zakia is forever well honored, loved, and vastly appreciated for all her presence and care and quality of being in every welcoming moment of sharing her life with us in such service to Olsen integrity. We cannot thank you enough, only love and value and respect immensely.
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Anne Olsen Wishing strength and nourishing warmth and healing to sisters who loved him so much and cared for him so well and missed so much knowing of him for which he grieved mightily with most gracious acceptance and, indeed, bountiful love. And special love to dearest Aunt Jan, for so much loss however blessed with richness of spirit and soul and character.
My heart felt sympathies to all the family. I’m crushed that I missed the “zoom” memorial for Peter. He played many leads opposite my mother at “The Wilton Playshop” I met him there at age 3, and have the fondest memories of him. Always kind with a big smile and certainly new his way around the shenanigans of little girls such as myself. He took lovely care of all of our animals, especially our Irish Setter Kerry. I adored him, as did my family, however the theatrical chemistry between him and my mother, Elizabeth, was nothing less than magical. He will always be cherished in my heart. May he rest in divine peace.