Curtis Edmund Olsen

Curtis Edmund Olsen, 83 of Storrs/Mansfield, CT passed away on Wednesday, July 26, 2017. Curtis was born on June 4, 1934 in Bagley, MN, the son of Ervin A. and Hazel M. Olsen. Curtis was an under graduate of Bemidji State College in 1957. He continued his education at University of Minnesota, and was a Master of Arts graduate in Public Administration in 1959. Curtis interned with the City of Phoenix, AZ, Research and Budget Division. He served in the U.S. Army as a 1st Lieutenant - Finance Corps, Fort Campbell, KY from 1959-1962. Curtis, a long-time member of the International City Managers Association (ICMA), became an expert in starting Municipalities in the Council-Manager form of government and served as the Town Manager for the Walden, NY, Apple Valley, MN, and Mansfield, CT communities. Curtis had the highest of ethical standards in performing his public service duties. He was an avid advocate for public services including; libraries, parks, recreation and senior and human services programs. His budgeting skills were recognized regionally by ICMA peers. Curtis was the owner of Prototype Copy and Word Processing of Storrs. He was a member of the Storrs Congregational Church and a Freemason raised on October 2, 1958 at the Headwaters Lodge No. 341 in Bagley, MN. As the first public administrator for the rapidly developing Minneapolis suburb of Apple Valley MN, Curtis initiated the development of the Minnesota Zoological Garden. Highlights of his Mansfield Town Management tenure include creation of Bi-Centennial Pond Recreation Area, Mansfield Library, and Department of Social Services (Meals on Wheels Program, Dial-A-Ride Program and Telephone Reassurance for the Elderly and Handicapped Persons). In addition, planning for the Mansfield Town Senior Center and the Audrey P. Beck Municipal Building Projects were launched under his management. Curtis is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jacqueline (Jackie) A. Olsen, sons, Gregory and his wife Kendra and Steven and his wife Laura. He has two grandsons Tyler and Jeffrey. Curtis was preceded in death by his parents Hazel and Ervin Olsen of Bagley MN, brothers Norman, Donald and Raymond. Calling hours will be held at Potter Funeral Home in Willimantic CT on Monday, July 31, from 5 - 7 pm. An online memorial guestbook is available at www.potterfuneralhome.com Visitation DetailsMonday, July 31st, 2017, 5:00pm - 7:00pm, Potter Funeral Home Service DetailsMonday, July 31st, 2017, Potter Funeral Home / Private