Neil Ollivierra, beloved brother, uncle, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 29th, 2024. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work and then a play-hard attitude, crazy laughter, kindness, integrity, and unwavering love that will continue to inspire all who knew him.

As written by his mother, Marjorie Luise Richardson Ollivierra (Magby) who preceded him in February 2014.

My oldest child and only son, Neil was born, John Edward Neil Olivierra, on October 12, 1941, in Detroit, MI, He attended Foch Junior High School and graduated from Central High School where he lettered in Track and Cross Country. He immediately signed up for the Navy and went into the Submarine Division and traveled extensively. He married Shirley Jacobs from Burgaw, N.C. in Detroit, MI in June of 1967 and they have three sons, John Edward Neil Jr., (1969), Antonio Ramon, (1971), and Terence Arman, (1973).

After Neil was divorced he had a son, Jonathan Adam Sanders, (1983), with Deborah Sanders. Neil was also married briefly to Dr. Patricia Taylor, DDS, after residing in Washington, DC.

Two of Neil's sons are attorneys, Neil, Jr, (wife Juliana) in CA, Japan, now Italy & Jonathan (wife Jennifer & their 4 daughters, Cadence, Zoey,  Kira and Celeste) in California.

Tony is an Electronic Musician in MI. Terry is a Certified Rolfer Therapist and Iyengar Yoga Instructor in the northern VA and DC areas and now in MI.

Neil attended Wayne State University late in his career and worked in the Detroit Juvenile Justice System. He graduated Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor's Degree in 1983. He continued on to Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government where he received a Master of Public Administration in 1985. He then moved to Washington, DC and after working with the Juvenile Justice System there, became licensed and certified in Real Estate Home Appraisal, Certified Lead Risk Assessor, Certified Review Appraiser, Certified Construction Inspector, Certified Environmental Inspector, Real Estate Home Inspector and thus started his own multi-faceted business, Ollivierra & Associates, incorporating all of those certifications. With the assistance of his nephew, Frank Godfrey Jr, they hired in as many as twelve appraisers and were recognized in the local business magazine. He also invested in real estate, buying homes, doing upscale renovations and selling them.

Neil was also an avid "Biker", riding his motorcycles across the United States, often times with his "Touch of Class" Motorcycle Club. He had a motorcycle accident while riding and working in DC and lost his left arm from the elbow down, received a metal rod in his left leg and his left side ended up 3/4 of an inch shorter. Recovery and rehabilitation were long and extensive and he lost huge amounts of money on his real estate investments as well as having to close the Home Inspection portion of his business, Ollivierra & Associates.

He was appointed by the Mayor (Vincent Gray) as a Commissioner for the Real Property Tax Appeals Commission for the DC government .  He also continued working his real estate appraisal business.

In 2022, Neil had shoulder surgery, (rotator cuff), went into Layhill Rehabilitation Center where he was loved by staff and patients alike and continued to spread love and his very bubbly personality to everyone there. He recently was the Resident Council President at his facility and previously  President of his condo HOA, introducing and implementing extensive improvements.  

He will surely be greatly missed by so many. 

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