Francis Otis

Francis “Joe” Joseph Otis passed away on April 26, 2018 in Castroville, CA. He was born on May 14, 1922 in Oklahoma and grew up in Kansas, Utah and Oregon. Joe had joined the Navy (Construction Builders Division) and served in Alaska during World War II. Joe met Marion Marie Riecks in LA and they happily married. The settled down in Salinas, California, where Joe worked as a painting contractor. Joe built a two bedroom home in Salinas and they had two children; Steven Joseph and Cynthia Marie. Then Joe built a four bedroom home out in the country. Joe and Marion Otis were a very active couple in the First United Methodist Church in Salinas. Joe bought a paint store and served Lions, Habitat for Humanity and Meals on Wheels. Joe was also very generous to the poor and homeless. Joe passed on April 26, 2018 at the age of 95, almost 96. His surviving relatives are his daughter and son-in-law, his three grandchildren, his great granddaughter and his niece. He is preceded in death by his wife and son. Joe was a very happy, hard-working man, who always cared about others. He was humble, gentle, loving, hospitable and funny. He loved skiing, baseball, traveling, dancing with his wife, and artistic painting. Everyone who knew Joe loved him. The Family would like to thank Angela Turano for her service to Marion and Joe over the course of the last thirteen years. They would also like to thank Lita Williams and the staff of the Shepherd’s Inn in Castroville for their extraordinary care of Joe during this past year. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2018 1pm at the First United Methodist Church 404 Lincoln Ave. Salinas, CA 93901.