MICHAEL LEIGH OTIS

SKOWHEGAN -- Michael Leigh Otis, 54, a long-time resident of Skowhegan, passed away after a long illness on Monday July 2, 2012.

Mike, as he was affectionately known, was born on Nov. 25, 1957, in Connecticut, to Leigh and Arlene Otis. He and his family moved to Belgrade, where he grew up, graduating from Messalonskee High School in 1976. Mike graduated from Central Maine Vocational Technical College in 1981 with an electrician's degree and went on to work for SD Warren Paper Co. and Sappi Fine Paper as an electrical instrument technician and was a past vice-president of the IBEW Local 1768 electrical workers union.

Mike had a great sense of humor. In his free time, he enjoyed camping, hiking and bowling. He was an avid golfer and scored his first career hole-in-one at the Loon Cove Golf Course. Mike early on was very interested in home computers and loved listening to music and playing his guitar.

He was predeceased by his father, Leigh Otis, in June 1987. Mike is survived by his mother, Arlene Goodhue, and her husband, David, of Port Charlotte, Fla.; his wife and high school sweetheart, Sherry Otis, of Lacy, Wash.; and son Matthiew Otis and wife Christine, granddaughter Brianna Nicole Otis, and grandson Jaiden Michael Otis, all of Torrington, Conn. Mike is also survived by his brother, John Otis, and wife, Barbara, of Belgrade; sister Kathy Parker and husband Steven, of West Newbury, Mass.; sister Sandra Doucette and husband Dale, of Albion; brother Patrick Sean and wife Charlene, of Waterville; and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the staff of the Redington-Fairview General Hospital and Eastern Maine Medical Center for the care he received while there. A funeral service celebrating Mike's life will be at 2 p.m. Aug. 12, 2012, at Friend Cemetery, Route 104, in North Fairfield. Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the United Way.