Eugene Irvin Olewine

Eugene Irvin Olewine age 75 of Lebanon, CT , passed away peacefully on May 24, 2018 at Windham Hospital, Willimantic, CT with caring family members at his side.

He was born Apr 18, 1943 in Lincoln, NE, the son of Clifford Walter Reddick and Mabel Elnora Freeze.  At a very young age, he was adopted by Miss Esther Larue Olewine and subsequently grew up in Omaha, NE.

Gene was a U.S. Navy Veteran (1960 – 1968) and was honorably discharged with the rank of FTB1 (SS).  He served aboard the submarines the U.S.S. Croaker (SSK-246) and the U.S.S. Henry L. Stimson (SSBN-655) out of Groton, CT.  While serving on the U.S.S. Croaker, he was involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis of Oct 1962.  On the U.S.S. Stimson, he was part of the “Gold Crew”.

He attended the University of New Haven, CT on the G. I. Bill (1972 – 1976) where he was a member of ALPHA CHI National College Honor Society.

Gene was a skilled motorcyclist. In his younger years he enjoyed testing his strength and skill by racing off road Enduro motorcyles.  Finally advancing to Super Bike racing where he achieved an honor few hold, of having an Expert’s License.  In both motorcycle sports he has many trophies.  After his retirement, he accomplished the U.S. Four Corner Motorcycle Ride and the Coast to Coast Iron Butt Ride. He was a member of the Columbia CT Chapter of (HOG) Harley Owners Group Motorcycle Club. And in 2012, he helped establish the Eastern Connecticut Riders Motorcycle Club.

He was also an ardent ten pin bowler in which he has also received many outstanding awards including three ABC sanctioned perfect score (300) games. 

For most of his life, Gene was employed by IBM Corporation and then with Computer Science Corporation at their data center in Norwich, CT, as a computer system analyst. He retired in Sep 2007.

Gene is survived by his wife of 34 years, Lindy J. Brunkhorst Olewine; a loving daughter, Melanie J. and son in law Chris Bova of Trumbull, CT;

two grandchildren, Camille & Dominic Bova; step-daughter, Donna S. and her husband, John Kuklis of Pleasant Valley, NY and two step-grandchildren

Jarrett & C. Zeal Kuklis.  He was predeceased in death by his parents and older brother Richard G. Reddick.

A Celebration of Life remembering Eugene I. Olewine will take place at the Lebanon Historical Society, 856 Trumbull Highway, Lebanon, CT on Sunday June 10, 2018 starting at 1 pm, followed by open association to remember, share and celebrate informally until 3:30 pm. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Eastern Connecticut Riders Club, 20 Type Rd, South Windham, CT 06266.

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