Mr Edmund D. Oliver

Mr. Edmund D. Oliver, age 85 of Fairview Avenue, Bristol, died Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at his home. He was the husband of the late Estelle C. (Vona) Oliver. Born in Fall River, MA and a lifelong resident of Bristol, he was a son of the late Manuel and Mary J. (Perry) Oliver. Mr. Oliver served in the US Army as a Technician Fifth Grade for the 128th Anti Aircraft Artillery Gun Battalion during WWII in the European Theatre. He worked as a machinist for the former Cumberland Engineering Company in Cumberland, RI for many years until retiring a number of years ago. He was a communicant of St. Mary's Church, Bristol, and active in Veterans affair and church groups, loved restoring old cars, well known in Bristol as an expert gardener and was a jack of all trades. Edmund Oliver was regarded by his neighbors and friends on Fairview Drive as a lover of nature as reflected in his beautiful gardens, a sage, one who could do anything with his hands, a man of intellectual curiosity with a unique sense of humor. He was the much loved and highly respected “uncle” to all the younger generation growing up on the little dead-end street. It is generally acknowledged by residents that there is hardly a house on the street that does not have Edmunds finger-prints on it. In addition to his loyalty to his family, both immediate and extended, Edmund was very devoted to his parish and could be called upon to make, fix, design, recommend anything that was needed as evidenced by the beautiful crche he made for the Christmas manger. Throughout the over 40 years that his wife, Estelle, was a member of the Bristol County Chorus, Edmund could be counted on to help - even to building supplementary risers for the chorus. Those who knew and loved Ed also loved hearing his stories of his experiences in WWII. As an 18 year old who had been driving trucks and tractors on the farm at Poppasquash Point where he grew up, he was chosen as driver for the unit Colonel and loved to tell how they took the jeep and went out behind enemy lines in France and Germany scouting for their artillery unit. You could hear in his voice the excitement that an 18 year old was experiencing. Edmund and his beloved wife, Estelle, were separated by her death in late July. Now they are reunited and, as a friend remarked, he is probably fixing the gutters on Gods House. He is survived by three sisters, Beatrice Redies of Ann Arbor, MI, Mary Oliver of Warren and Geraldine Morra of Bristol and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death in addition to his wife and parents by two brothers, George L. and Roger Oliver. Funeral services from the Sansone Funeral Home, 192 Wood Street, Bristol, Monday, November 8, 2010 at 9:00 AM with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in St. Mary's Church, 330 Wood Street, Bristol. Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Chestnut Street, Bristol. Visiting hours Sunday, November 7, 2010 from 2:00 - 5:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Mary's Church 'Proud to Belong Campaign', 330 Wood Street, Bristol, RI 02809.

Service Information Cemetery St. Mary's Cemetery Chestnut Street Bristol, RI --> Visitation Sunday November 7, 2010 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM Sansone Funeral Home 192 Wood Street Bristol, RI 02809 --> Service Monday November 8, 2010 9:00 AM Sansone Funeral Home 192 Wood Street Bristol, RI 02809 --> Service Monday November 8, 2010 10:00 AM St. Mary's Church 330 Wood St. Bristol, RI -->