Enrique Olaya

Enrique Olaya, 84, of Yorkville, Illinois. 

Loving dad to Yolanda and his late son, Rey Olaya. Devoted and caring NoNo to Rey and Nico Olszewski, whom he loved dearly and lived for—his grandsons were his pride and joy. Son of Julio and Emperatriz Olaya. 

He was a baseball fanatic and tried not to miss any of his grandson’s games and would give them a handsome reward for their efforts. Enrique was a doting, adoring husband to Olinda for 65 years. He loved her with all his heart and cared for her until his very last breath.

He was a trusted godfather to many children, and a dear uncle and great-uncle to many more. He was a beloved brother to Victoria de Piñerez and Yolanda Bernal. Enrique made friends wherever he went, thanks to his warm, kind, and generous spirit. He was compassionate, endlessly curious, and had a quirky sense of humor that made being around him a joy.

Enrique came to the United States from Colombia, South America as a young man in pursuit of education. But he found more than knowledge—he fell in love. He fell in love with this country and soon enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he proudly served during the Vietnam War. Whenever asked about his service, he would beam and say, “I was in the Army—those were the best days of my life.”

Most of Enrique’s career was spent in finance, but his passion for helping others led him to a new chapter after retirement. He began volunteering at a clinic in DuPage County, where his daughter worked, serving people without medical insurance. He became a medical interpreter, a role he cherished, and was later formally trained and hired by Central DuPage Hospital. There, he worked until his second retirement before moving to Florida with his beloved wife. He loved the job, and the staff, administrators, doctors, and nurses loved him right back.

In addition to his generous heart, Enrique was a gifted cook. He delighted in preparing meals and believed deeply in the power of sharing food. Cooking was his love language—it was how he showed care, how he nurtured, and how he celebrated life.

A memorial gathering will be held for Enrique from 3 PM - (time of service and military presentation) at 4 Pm (livestreamed via https://www.facebook.com/events/1229568872018743/) on Saturday, May 03, 2025 at Leonard Memorial Home, 565 Duane St, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137.

For more information please call (630) 469-0032. 

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