George Edward Olsen

A Celebration of Life Service for George Edward Olsen,(88), will be Saturday, July 14th at 4:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church, (Watt's Chapel ) Fort Lauderdale, FL. (Off of Las Olas)George Olsen was born in New York City, 1929, to stage and screen entertainers, Ethel Shutta and George M. Olsen. Prior to moving to Florida, George had a life filled with interesting people. Raised in show business, he travelled extensively around the USA and Europe. At 16, attended the University of Michigan where he was on National Championship teams for both football and swimming. He qualified in Backstroke for the 1948 London Olympics. Earning a Master's Degree from The University of Houston. George also performed and directed plays at the Old Alley Theatre. As the manager of a television station in San Angelo, Texas. He orchestrated the first live-remote television broadcast.

Transferred to NYC, he worked in Public Relations for General Telephone and later became the Director of Communications for companies including Colgate Palmolive and Bristol Myers. In 1983, George married Sherry Friedlander, founder of "A Child Is Missing". For many years he was the official photographer at the International Swimming Hall of Fame and the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex. As the official photographer for FINA he photographed the Atlanta Olympics, swimming and diving, and he won numerous awards, including a Kodak award. His accomplishments include photos of US Presidents, Olympics, Around the World Whitbread Race, and photos appeared on many magazine covers.

Spiritually, George served as both Deacon and a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church of America. His commitment to service was strong, in his most recent years, he worked with others to find missing children and to mentor people who wanted to fight the good fight, One Day at a Time.

George Olsen is survived by his wife Sherry Friedlander Olsen, his older brother Charles of Tallahassee and family, his son George Eric Olsen and grandson George Evan Olsen of Arlington, Texas.

Gifts are requested to be made to A Child Is Missing, 500 SE 17th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Thank you