Chris Olert spent 25 years as a newspaperman, writing what he jokingly calls “bird-cage bottoms” for The Staten Island Advance, The New York Post, and the Associated Press—the world’s largest news organization. He covered New York City politics for all three outlets and penned hundreds of obituaries, including those for public figures such as Robert Moses (Advance), Rep. Bella Abzug (AP), and contributing to the AP obituary of President Richard M. Nixon.
In this engaging session, Olert will share stories from his journalism career and guide the audience through the art of obituary writing—teaching how to capture a life with clarity, respect, and just the right touch of personality.
Olert has lived in Warwick since 1992. He has written for Warwick Living, The Warwick Advertiser, and numerous local businesses. He currently serves on the boards of the Warwick Historical Society and the Warwick Chamber of Commerce. He holds a master’s degree from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University in Baltimore.