Edwin Oliver, Jr.

On July 30, 2020, Edwin Oliver, Jr. passed away at the age of 93.  He is survived by his brother-in-law David Schneider & many nieces & nephews.

Ed was born on May 29, 1927 and was the eldest of 6 children.  He joined the Navy in 1945.   He spent 37 years at Continental Can where he retired in 1986.

In speaking about his interview with Continental Can, he said even if he didn’t get the job, it was the best day of his life.  That was because they held the interview in a restaurant and that was the first time he had dined out.  This story sums up who my Uncle was.  He was a true gentleman.  He looked for the best in every situation.  He made every day the best day it could be.  He made so many wonderful friends from all walks of life.  He judged no one.  After retirement, he started the second chapter of his life by purchasing a home in Federal Hill and volunteering at the Baltimore Opera Company.  He worked there every day until they closed 23 years later.  Opera was the love of his life.  He will be buried with a ticket from the show of the first opera singer he attended in NYC.    His friends dubbed him the Mayor of South Baltimore.  He was so loved.   Whether we were dining at the Fort Avenue Diner or the Prime Rib, there was always someone coming up to my Uncle to say hello.  You can only imagine how wonderful it was to have this man as our Uncle.  Christmas Eve celebrations were always at my Uncle’s apartment.  He made sure that everyone had the best time.  He had games and drawings with prizes and made sure everyone felt special.  He took us to the circus, restaurants, art galleries and the zoo.  He made us feel important and special.  He loved us unconditionally.  Right before Christmas every year, he would take a trip to Puerto Rico.  It was one of his favorite places.  That, along with Paris.  Years ago, friends surprised him with a trip to Paris.  He had so many wonderful stories about that trip. It was a fairytale for him.  He came home with a chocolate bar that he refused to eat.  He kept it in his refrigerator so that it would remind him of this wonderful time.  His candy bar sits securely in my refrigerator today.

A public visitation will be held at Our Lady of Victory Church, 4414 Wilkens Ave., Baltimore, MD 21229 on Wednesday, August 5th from 10:30-11:00 AM where a funeral mass will begin at 11:00 AM. Interment will be private . In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ed’s name to BARCS, 2490 Giles Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21225.

*The Funeral Mass will be live streamed on our Facebook page.*

*DUE TO COVID 19 RESTRICTIONS, OUR LADY OF VICTORY CHURCH IS ONLY ALLOWED 70 PEOPLE IN THEIR CHURCH AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND FACIAL COVERINGS WILL BE REQUIRED WHEN IN THE BUILDING*

We will celebrate his life in the future when it is safe for everyone.