"I like this one," Roy Olmstead said with a smile to town council last September before their regular meeting. Though he said this to council he was looking at the reporter who had taken a photo of him a week prior. Continuing he added, "She took a photo my wife and I and some friends at the 40th Museum celebrations and didn't write in the description that we were artifacts." The photo Olmstead referred to accompanies this article.
It was this charm and wit, which made Olmstead approachable and friendly. Combined with his limitless knowledge of the Town of Carlyle, he was a well respected and dedicated individual to the community.
Roy Charles Olmstead passed away at the age of 73-years-old on Friday, Oct. 31. Olmstead had been an integral part in the Town of Carlyle, having worked for the town and then having become an alderman serving on town council.
Olmstead dedicated his life to Carlyle working from Oct. 1, 1973, to Sept. 30, 2002, as the town superintendent. He ran for council in 2003 during the regular elections, but didn't make it into council until the following year during a by-election when Randy Brady resigned. Since 2004, Olmstead continued to serve Carlyle being on council until his passing.
Having been on council for a decade and having worked as a town employee for nearly three decades, Olmstead dedicated a lot to the community and was a source of knowledge for many on town council.
"He will definitely be missed," Martin Tourand, alderman, explained. "In the short time I have been on council I came to see he knew the town and had knowledge very few in town would. At 73-years-old he could have been doing many other things, but chose to continue serving as a councillor."
Don Shirley, a past mayor of Carlyle, added, "Roy had a lot of experience. Roy always had a connection to the people of this town. He had no airs about him and was always mindful of people. He was concerned with seniors and kids, and had a connection to all ages and everybody in the community. We all made decisions based on people, but you always heard Roy speak about how a decision would affect people because he always empathized with them."
"He was incredibly kind and thoughtful; and he really believed in Carlyle."
Olmstead's memorial service was held last week on Wednesday, Nov. 5.
A kind and caring community member, he served Carlyle faithfully for 39 years and touched many people's hearts with his friendly and compassionate demeanor.
"Roy was a very big role model for me and is the reason I signed onto council," Jenn Sedor, Town of Carlyle councillor, explained. "It was nice to know someone so dedicated and community oriented. His passing leaves a void in our community."
