Edward D. Otto

Edward D. Otto, 93, died peacefully at his home in Farmington on September 21, 2019. He was born in Hillsville, PA on March 18, 1926, the son of the late Joseph and Margaret Otto. Ed graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1949. His college years were interrupted by his two years of service in the U.S. Army in World War II. After college, he was employed by Proctor & Gamble (P&G) for two years, and then completed a year at Temple University School of Law in 1951. Ed discovered his real ‘love’ was sales and marketing, and he was promptly hired by International Business Machines (IBM). At P&G and IBM, Ed became the top salesman in the country and learned the valuable business skill that he used throughout his career. In 1956, Ed joined Standard Press Steel (SPS) of Philadelphia in the company’s Syracuse, NY, office. Upon being promoted, he worked as regional manager in Chicago from 1962 to 1965. In 1965, he joined Fastron Company in Chicago as Executive Vice President and General Manager. In 1969, Ed moved to West Hartford to become President of Fasteners, Inc., in Newington. Fasteners, Inc. grew under his leadership until he sold the company in 1997. Ed retired the next year and moved to Farmington. Ed was a charter member and active parishioner of St. Peter Claver Church in West Hartford since 1969. He was the founder and president of the New England Fastener Distributor Association (NEFDA) and inducted into the group’s Hall of Fame as a highly respected professional known for his integrity and knowledge. Ed also served on the board of the National Fastener Distributor Association (NFDA). He joined the Country Club of Farmington in 1969, where he enjoyed his favorite pastime, golf, and was a proud member there for 50 years. He served as the club’s president in 1993. He spent winters in Siesta Key, FL, and enjoyed golf year round. In recent years, Ed often “shot his age’ in golf, which he said, at age 88, “gets easier every year.” Ed and his wife, Doris recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Ed is survived by his wife, Doris Manning Otto; his daughter and son-in law, Audrey and Mark Byrnett of West Hartford; and granddaughters Jennifer and Julia. He is also survived by three stepdaughters, Rachel, wife of James McTague of Alexandria, VA; Barbara, wife of Michael Schmidt of Lancaster, PA; and Maria Manby of Brookfield, WI, and grandchildren Robert and Emily Rich, and Ashleigh, Julia, and Abigail Manby. Surviving also are his brother and sister-in-law, Ray and Sheila Otto of Toledo, OH. and nieces and nephews, Chrissa Michelle, Cindy Otto, BA Laris, Dennis Otto, and Gregg Otto. Ed’s late wife, Madeleine Murphy Otto, predeceased him in 1988. The family will receive friends on Friday, September 27, 2019 from 5-8 p.m., at the Church of St. Peter Claver Church, 47 Pleasant Street, West Hartford, CT 06107. A funeral Mass will be held at the Church on Saturday, September 28, 2019, at 10 a.m., with burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Church of St. Peter Claver or Services for the Elderly of Farmington, Inc., 321 New Britain Ave., Unionville, CT 06085. Expressions of sympathy may be made online at www.molloyfuneralhome.com.