Lester "Bruce" Olmstead

Lester “Bruce” Olmstead, 90, of Plainville, passed away Tuesday January 2, 2019 at Apple Rehab of Farmington Valley in Plainville, surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Patricia (Tufts) Olmstead.

Bruce was born February 25, 1928 in New Britain, the son of the late Lester Lockwood and Ellen J. (Burke) Olmstead and has been a Plainville resident since 1965. He was a 1946 graduate of New Britain High School. Following graduation Bruce proudly served his country in the United States Army. He was employed as an Inspector at Emhart of Berlin retiring after many years of service. Bruce was a member of the VFW Post 511 of New Britain and the Plainville Stamp Club. He had a passion for the Revolutionary War and attended many Bicentennial reenactments. Bruce was a talented artist, who especially enjoyed sketching. He loved to roller skate and was still skating well into his 80’s. He also enjoyed traveling with his family, visiting all 50 states as well as Europe, Japan and the South Pacific. Bruce was a Communicant of Our Lady of Mercy Church in Plainville.

Besides his loving wife Patricia, he leaves his son, Bruce D. Olmstead of Columbia, AL, his daughters, Lynn Rankin and her husband Douglas of Taunton, MA and Patricia Nordel and her husband David of Billings, MT, his grandchildren, Douglas, MacLean and Gillian Rankin, Alexander, Elizabeth, Ethan and Patrick Olmstead, David Nordel and his wife Natae and Dominic Nordel and his great granddaughter, AvaLynn Nordel. He also leaves his aunt and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Bruce was predeceased by his sisters, Lucille, Phyllis and Virginia.

Family and friends may gather at the Bailey Funeral Home 48 Broad Street in Plainville on Monday January 7, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. with a service in celebration of Bruce’s life beginning at 12:00 p.m. Burial with military honors will be held privately. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the VFW Post 511 of New Britain 41 Veterans Drive New Britain, CT 06051 or to the VFW Post 574 of Plainville 7 Northwest Drive Plainville, CT 06062.

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