Howard C. Otty, Sr.

Howard Conrad Otty, Sr., 93, of Eddy Village Green in Cohoes, formerly of East Greenbush, NY, passed away on March 1, 2012 in Cohoes, NY. He was born in Albany on August 8, 1918, the only child of the late Robert W. Otty and Ottilia Miller Otty.
Howard graduated from Albany High School in 1937. As a youth he was active in the Boy Scouts and earned the coveted Eagle rank. Howard had a long career with the Albany Times Union, beginning as a paper boy, and after graduating from high school was employed as a mail clerk in the accounting department. Howard served in the U. S. Navy during WWII, and was stationed in the Locator Division of the Fleet Post Office in New York City. He returned to the Times Union after the war and retired as the assistant comptroller in 1984.
Howard married Shirley W. Partridge on July 26, 1940 at the First Reformed Church of Albany. She survives, along with
their three children: Howard C. Otty, Jr. (Molly) of Lyndonville, VT; Margaret Ann Harrison of Charlotte, NC.; and Richard Eric Otty (Lynn) of East Greenbush, NY. Also surviving are 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Howard grew up in the Reformed Church, but became a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in 1947. For many years, he was the church treasurer, also served on the boards of Stewards, Deacons and Trustees, and was often found helping with church repairs and maintenance. After retirement, he and his wife, Shirley volunteered for the FOCUS Churches breakfast program. He had been a member of the former Monarch Club in Albany. He lived in East Greenbush for over 60 years, and volunteered with Little League and Babe Ruth baseball, was treasurer of the town library (Katherine Wirth) in its early years, and served 12 years on the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Howard's passions were woodworking and photography. He enjoyed traveling and visited Europe several times with his wife. He was a warm and loving family man, kind and helpful neighbor, and was always there when needed with a warm smile.
A memorial service will be held at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 85 Chestnut Street in Albany, on Sunday,
March 4, 2012 at 2 pm. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a gathering in the Welles Room of the church following the service. Interment will be private. The family thanks the staff of Eddy Village Green for their devoted care for our father, and also the Brain Bank Fund of the Albany Medical Center. Memorial contributions may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church.