David Arthur Otto

February 22, 2018

David Arthur Otto, 70, of New Britain, CT, died, February 22, 2018, at his home. Born on April 21, 1947 in Elizabeth, NJ, the son of the late Herbert and Marguerite (McClure) Otto, he was raised in Westfield, NJ, where he was active in the Boy Scouts and graduated from Westfield Senior High School. He attended Waynesburg College and was a fraternity brother of Tau Kappa Epsilon. In 1968, he took a hiatus from his college studies for a tour of duty in the Vietnam War, where he served in the US Army from 1968-1974 and became a decorated veteran. He later returned to the states and received his bachelor’s degree in Finance from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ. David began his career as an accountant for Beneficial Corporation in Morristown, NJ, where he became the beloved coach of the woman’s softball team. He later worked as a controller at Phillips Credit Corp in New York City and Champion Mortgage in Parsippany, NJ. As a dedicated father, he spent many weekends camping, canoeing, coaching sports and sitting through the occasional dance competition. He was an avid bridge player who competed weekly for over 40 years in the Friday Night Men’s Bridge League in Florham Park, NJ and more recently, played in tournaments at The Montclair Golf Club in West Orange, NJ, receiving multiple master points. He also enjoyed fresh-water fishing and was a loyal fan to the NY Mets, even in the 1990s. He was a classic movie buff, enjoyed the music of great storytellers such as Neil Diamond and Billy Joel and was never without a package of peppermint Mentos. Over the last two years, he spent most of his time relishing in the precious moments and memories made with his only grandson. He is survived by this two daughters, Jennifer Otto of New Britain, CT, Meredith Otto of Port Orange, FL; his grandson, Wesley Otto of New Britain, CT; two brothers, Robert Otto and his wife Virginia of Wellesley, MA, Richard Otto and his wife Elaine of Cumberland, RI; five nephews, Robert Otto, Matthew Otto, Andrew Otto, William Collingwood and Christopher Collingwood; three nieces, Kate Chebly, Diana Fitzgerald and Tami Collingwood; a cousin, Nancy LaBahn; his former spouse, Rosemarie Collingwood-Cole; and dear friend, Theri Japko. Calling hours will be Tuesday, February 27th, from 4-7 p.m. at the Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, CT. (860) 232-1322. A private funeral service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Service Trust, which supports physical and psychological rehabilitation programs that provide direct service to ill, injured, or wounded veterans. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com