Shawn Robert Olszewski
September 30, 1975 ~ May 3, 2013
Shawn Robert Olszewski, 37, of Follansbee, WV formerly of Pittsburgh, PA, passed away Friday May 3, 2013.
Born on September 30, 1975, in Pittsburgh, PA, Shawn was the son of Julie Gregson Olszewski of Follansbee, WV, and the late Thomas Olszewski, Jr.
He was preceded in death by his father, paternal grandparents, Thomas and Caroline Olszewski, Sr., and his maternal grandparents, Robert Gregson, Ethel Gregson Meier, and Leonard Meier.
A well known artist in the Pittsburgh area, Shawn was very proud of the fact that his artwork hangs in every continent of the world.
After graduating from Weir High School in 1993, and serving in the United States Army Reserves, Shawn has traveled throughout the United States and Canada.
Shawn will always be remembered for his generosity to those less fortunate. He was a free spirit and was loved for his unique sense of humor. Shawn adamantly fought for social justice and stood up for the oppressed.
He is survived by his mother, Julie; his sister, Dawn James (Roy); and a niece, Mia James, all of Follansbee, WV. Shawn is also survived by his aunt and uncle Bobby and Karen Olszewski of Follansbee; an uncle, Thomas Gregson, of Weirton; an aunt Becky Gregson of Weirton; and five cousins: Lance Olzewski (Rebecca), Mason James Olszewski, Megan Olszewski, Zachary Gregson, and Carly Gregson.
Visitation will be 6-8 PM on Tuesday at the Greco- Hertnick Funeral Home 3219 Main Street Weirton, WV, where funeral services will be held 11 AM on Wednesday.
Rev. Penny Calmbacher of the Follansbee United Methodist Church will preside.
Entombment will follow at the Saint Paul Cemetery Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Shawn's memory may be made to Art Expressions Inc, an organization in Pittsburgh that helps children through art. More information can be found on www.artexpressioninc.org. Or a donation of art supplies can be made to your favorite school or art student.
I am short of words here. I will miss Shawn along with his creative abilities. Learned a lot about photography from him. He was a good friend and a very nice human.
My deepest condolences to the family. Shawn was the most beautiful person I have ever met. His generosity and love for others can never be described in words. I am so blessed to have a piece of his art that I will cherish forever. I wish that we lived in a world that Shawn envisioned and fought for. He will be truly missed.
My deepest condolences go out to Shawn’s family and I am so sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry for your loss. I have so many fond memories of hanging out with Shawn. I cherish the fun we had all them years ago. I will keep you all in my prayers.
I send my condolencesand share all the memories we had in school and during the summer. He will be greatly missed. The Porec Family
Please accept my deepest sympathies. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
My deepest sympathy to your family. I will miss him dearly.
My deepest sympathies to his mother Julie, sister Dawn, and family.
Julie and Family, We are so sorry to hear of your loss…there are really no words…Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers… Much Love,
Julie, Dawn and family: My deepest sympathy goes out to all of you. I did not know Shawn and from what I do know about him it makes me sad that I never got to meet him. I have seen some of his artwork and he was very talented. It is nice that he contributed to making this world a more beautiful place, through his artwork and by just being himself. So sorry and saddened for your loss.
Bob & Karen: So sorry to hear of your loss….he was a very talented person….our prayers are with you and family….so that Our Lord will keep you all close to His Heart at this sad time.
Dawn & Roy, My heart aches for your untimely loss and deep sadness. My thoughts and prayers are with you now and during your journey of grief. If I can be of any help, please let me know. With deepest sympathy and warm regards,
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you.
I did not have the honor to met Shawn but I graduated with Dawn and I am so sorry to the family for this loss. May you all find solace in the Lord.
My Heart goes out to Juli and Dawn and Family. I LOVED Shawn and he will ALWAYS remain in my Heart. I have such fond memories of him from him being in the Youth Group at the Vineyard that I was in charge of. He was such fun to be around and always encouraged me, as a leader, and his peers. Shawn, you will be greatly missed…
Though it’s been 20 years since we graduated together, I still remember Shawn best for his kind and gentle spirit. May you feel God’s loving arms around you for peace and comfort.
Our sympathy, love and prayers are with you. God Bless!
Our sympathy, love and prayers are with you. God Bless!
Shawn was an amazing guy, From our days at church camp (sneaking out) to our days at karate, to the sleepovers, Shawn was a great friend. We had our share of battles, but we always stayed friends, never forget him getting me my job at Shop N Save in Imperial, and how close we got when we worked there, and how much i missed him when he left the area and did all the cool, crazy things he did. I love you brother, I will never forget you and the many ways you impacted my life. This world will never be the same, my friend…
We extend our most sincere condolences to Shawn’s family, as well all the others whose lives he had touched.
I was surprised and saddened to read of Shawn’s death. My deepest condolences to his mother Julie and sister Dawn. May he rest in peace.
My thoughts and prayers to Shawn’s family, he was always very kind and a great sense of humor, he will be watching over all of us now
Julie and family, Please accept my condolences. I never met Shawn; however I did adopt his loving cat Frankie from his mother before Shawn moved to Canada. A heart never heals after a loss of a child – keep his memory alive.
There are not enough words or space in the box to put down how sincerely and deeply remorseful I am that you are no longer with us, Shawn. To the family, my sincerest condolences on your loss. Shawn was talented, smart and kind-hearted. Now he sleeps with Angels..
Dawn, Roy and family: On behalf of Brooke County Republican Executive Committee, please accept our condolences at this difficult time. BCREC has made a contribution to Art Expression to honor Shawn’s memory.
Sorry to hear about this Dawn, Shawn was good guy. Sorry for your lose.
Julie and Dawn and family, You are in my prayers and thoughts. I won’t be in town and I apologize I can’t be there. If there is anything I can do let me know. Love to you all and God’s blessings, Carole R.
My sympathy. Shawn was a very loving man. We will all miss him very much.
I’m so sorry to hear about Shawn’s passing! He was a respected and loved member of our Edmonton Flickrmeets photography group. He will be missed!
sorry for your loss Dawn, if you need anything I am here for you.
Shawn has been my friend for over twenty years now. I love him so dearly. There is a place in my heart he will sit for ever and ever. I really wish I could have done more. 🙁
We are both so sorry for your loss. Shawn is in our memory as bright, beautiful young man. Our prayers are always with you. God bless and comfort you. Love…Debbie & Gary
Julie and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Please know thay my thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time.
Shawn has become something of a legend amongst photographers in Edmonton and if often spoken of with great fondness. He will be missed greatly. My deepest condolences to his family and everyone who knew him.
My condolences to you Dawn and Julie. I have very fond memories of staying at your house when growing up. Shawn and I shared the same sense of humor and some of the same principles. He is a good person and I am very sad to hear of his passing. I pray that your family is able to find peace. My deepest sympathy, Todd Sigler
Dawn, I am very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Julie, I am so sorry for your loss. My heart and prayers are with you
Julie…so so sry…I’m at a total loss for words..may god give comfort to you and Dawn..
I remember the 25th Woodstock Anniversary party at your house Dawn, between our Junior and Senior year at Madonna (I think). That’s where I met Shawn. We sat and conversed on the current issues of the day and we would agree to disagree :-), but he always stayed on point and used logic and facts to back up his beliefs, it wasn’t personal with him. I was impressed by him and I’ve often thought of him quite fondly. It was a night I’ll never forget and I was priveledged to meet him. He will be missed and my heart goes out to all of your family. Thoughts and prayers! John
Julie, Dawn and Mia, So sorry for your loss of Shawn.
Words are not enough to express how sorry I am for your loss. Shawn was a wonderful friend to me and I will deeply miss him. I feel so lucky to have known him since middle school. He was so kind and had a great sense of humor. Shawn was a talented artist. I will cherish the paintings I have from him forever. Please be comforted by the thought that so many people hold fond memories of Shawn. He touched so many lives. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Julie,Dawn ,Bobby and family We are so sorry for your loss.We couldn’t make funeral home but you and Shawn are in our prayers always as is Tom . May God comfort you all at this sorrowful time
Julie, so sorry to hear about Shawn. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love Bobbie and Bill
Julie, I have no words, my heart is aching for you and Dawn!!! I am so sorry to hear this about Shawn, please call if you need an ear, I miss you!
I knew Shawn as an artist, a guerrilla gardener, and a defender of the marginalized and oppressed. He was a good friend, and he will be missed.
Dawn and Julie,, There are no words that I could use to express my condolences. Love each other,have strength and reach out to your higher power to try and ease the pain. I am so sorry for your loss.
Sorry to hear of you loss Julie, it is always sad when a loved on passes but always know that the angels will protect them from harm.
I learned a lot from Shawn. He was a great person and a great photographer. We will miss him very much in Edmonton.
Julie , Dawn , Roy and Mia ,May you all find comfort in the fact that you all are loved . Debra
Julie and family, I am saddened by your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Kenyatta Coleman Grant
Julie, Please know how very sorry I am for your loss. My heart goes out to you and Dawn and your family. Bonnie
Dear Julie and Family, Please accept our sincere sympathy on Shawn’s passing. Have been thinking of the days when you lived on Pennsylvania Avenue and the time Shawn and Sammy spent playing together. May our Dear Lord give you comfort and peace at this difficult time. You are in my prayers. Josie Cekinovich
My condolences to Shawn’s family and friends. He and I hung many art shows in 2003 and 2004 in SF. He helped me in so many ways. He is and always will be a true heart of the arts.
Julie, Dawn,Roy and Mia, I dont know where to start, Shawn had a large soul. Everyone he me he changed in one way or another. Shawn helped me through one of the most terrible experiences in my life. I Loved him with all my heart and always will hold a place for him in my heart. May your thoughts and memories keep him alive forever in your heart. Janine