Otto Ferchau

The long-time resident of New Hyde Park, NY, passed away peacefully at Morton Plant hospital near his residence in Clearwater, FL at the age of 92. Otto was born in the town of Schroettersdorf, now Maszewo, Plock, Poland. His family had lived in that area since the late 1700's.

Otto's early life was one of hardship. At the age of 12, he was recruited into the German defense of the city of Danzig. He was poised to face Russian tanks with Panzerfaust anti-tank rockets when the German General in command surrendered the city. Before his 13th birthday Otto was sent on a prisoner of war train headed to Siberia. Somewhere deep inside the Soviet Union, Otto escaped from the train along with three others. They knew that to survive, they needed to split up. Otto spent the next three years struggling and scavenging to obtain the most basic level of human survival as he roamed alone through Russia and eastern Europe. At the same time, his ethnic German family (father, mother, brother, and sister) were held in work camps in Poland unbeknownst to him. He finally entered the British Zone of Germany where he worked with the Allies to support the Berlin Airlift. When that was over, he enlisted in the French Foreign Legion, but his Commanding Officer from the Air Lift voided his enrollment and advised him to learn a craft.

After serving as an apprentice and journeyman in Germany and Switzerland, Otto became one of the youngest ever to become a Master Craftsman Painter. At this same time, he was finally reunited with his family in the Emsland region of then West Germany. In 1955, he decided to emigrate to the United States. Within days of working for a New York painter, Otto decided to start his own painting and decorating business. He quickly became highly sought after and worked for many prestigious customers in Forrest Hills, Great Neck, Kings Point, Garden City, and Port Washington over the next 50 years. He even painted and decorated the historic Fraunces Tavern in NYC after doing the same for the owner's home. He treated his customer's home as if it were a work of art.

In 1957, Otto married the love of his life, Matilda. They remained married and lived in New Hyde Park until she passed away in 2013. Although Otto was ever the workaholic, they enjoyed spending time with family and friends throughout the years; and Otto was known as an ever-gracious host. They visited family within the U.S, Germany, Switzerland, and Argentina. Both Otto and Matilda devoted much of their time and their talents to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church; and in the later years Otto did the same for Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (both in New Hyde Park).

Over the years Otto would often self-deprecate about his lack of education, but the reality is that Otto was fluent in four languages (English, German, Polish and Russian) as well as being a Master Craftsman. He rejected the evil that he witnessed both during and after WWII; and he chose to learn from those who helped him to survive. He also learned from his customers, many of which were of different race or religion who never hesitated to hire the Immigrant German painter. Most of these customers remained friends for life. Otto was stern, but he was also friendly. Otto was frugal, but he could also be generous. If someone in need showed a work ethic and had good intentions, Otto would always give a hand up.

Otto is survived by two sons, Karl (and Jennifer) and David (and Theresa); along with one grandson (Henry) and nieces and nephews. Along with his wife, he was predeceased by his brother Ewald and his sister Walda both in Germany.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday May 16th at 10:00 a.m. in Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in New Hyde Park; immediately followed by burial at the family plot in Canarsie Cemetery in Brooklyn. In lieu of flowers, it was Otto's wish that a donation be made on his behalf to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: https://www.stjude.org .