Jeffrey F. Otis

Jeffrey F. Otis, 76, of Southington, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 2, 2023 at MidState Medical Center. He had been the loving husband of Sarah (Connaughton) Otis for 33 Years.

Born in Haverhill, MA on April 19, 1946 to the late Milton and Virginia (Adams) Otis, he grew up in West Newbury, MA and was an accomplished student-athlete at Pentucket High School. He attended the University of Connecticut on a football scholarship and graduated in 1968 with a degree in economics. 

Jeff was a longtime Southington resident and worked at Meriden Trust, then Webster Trust as a Vice President and Trust Officer for many years. 

Following a successful career, he became the happiest retiree. He finally picked up carving, creating beautiful hand-hewn bowls and spoons in his garage-cum-workshop (and was always in search of the perfect piece of wood). He loved fishing his favorite spots on Martha’s Vineyard and the Connecticut shoreline and enjoyed many a sunrise bike ride with a donut chaser. 

Jeff was a voracious reader, taking almost daily trips to the public library for the latest David Baldacci or Preston & Child mystery, and was a lifelong student always committed to learning something new. 

The day was not complete without a trip to Costco or the grocery store, then lunch at Arby’s with his good friend Keith Cymbala. And on Sundays he could be found on the couch providing his own pointed commentary to the Patriots game. 

He will be remembered for his tenacity, his intellect, and of course his fierce love and loyalty for those closest to him.

In addition to his wife Sarah, Jeff is survived by 4 children; Brian Otis and his wife Gail of Tolland, Scott Otis of Southington, Douglas Otis and his wife Robin of Wethersfield and Katharine Otis of Torrington and 4 grandchildren; Colin, Kiley, Jack and Allison. He is also survived by 2 brothers, David Otis (Joy) and Frank Otis and 4 sisters, Linda Keener (Henry), Susan Killam (Gary), Laurie Otis and Pamela Ivone (Tom) and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his first wife Carol Otis, his son Gregory Otis and his brother Bruce Otis.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jeff’s memory may be made to the Southington Land Conservation Trust, Inc., 76 North Main St., Southington, CT 06489 (http://www.southingtonlandtrust.org/).

A memorial service will be celebrated at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at the Plantsville Funeral Home, 975 S. Main St., Plantsville. Calling hours will be held at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the service. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.