Benjamin E. Olsen-Russell

Benjamin “Ben” “OR” Elliott Olsen-Russell, 26, of McDonough, passed away on Thursday, September 14, 2023.

Ben was born on July 19, 1997 in Camp Pendleton, CA. Ben was the son of Lori Olsen and Edgar “Gus” Russell. He attended school in San Diego, CA before relocating to Oxford, NY in 2014. He started the Oxford Chess Club and played a bit of football in Oxford and graduated with the class of 2015. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force National Guard and became a “the world’s best” tracking technician in Rome, NY.

Ben enjoyed MLG (Magic the Gathering), strategy games, Pokémon, camping, long boarding, chess (especially with his dad), and people watching. He loved to cook and was a Philadelphia Eagles fan. Most of all, Ben will be remembered as a loving, silly man who loved to make people smile and “the world’s best hugger.”

In addition to his parents, Ben is survived by his sister, Mallory Olsen-Nichols; brother, Timothy Nichols; cousins, Eric, Nicholas, Kyle, Amanda, Dalton, Dylan, Alicia, Lindsay, Megan, Kayla, Mackenzie, Danielle, and Antonio “Tony” his fur friend; several aunts and uncles; and many friends. He was predeceased by his stepfather, Miles Nichols; maternal grandparents, Heidi and Bill Olsen; and paternal grandparent, Grace Russell.

Friends are invited to the Wilson Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. The family requests that friends and family share their best stories and worst Dad jokes that Ben often shared. Please dress casual and in bright attire. Pokémon and MLG attire always welcome.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Miles Leonard Nichols Memorial Scholarship, 963 County Road 8, McDonough, NY 13801.

Arrangements were entrusted with the Wilson Funeral Home.