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Jose Otero Obituary
DELMAR - Jose Luis Otero Jr., 71, passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. He was a fighter, battling multiple illnesses for many years.
Born on June 27, 1951, in Havana, Cuba, he was the son of the late Jose Luis Otero Sr. and Nelida Zerquera-Otero. He came to this country from Cuba via Operation Pedro Pan at age 10 with his sister and cousin, living in an orphanage until his parents were able to join them the following year. Jose graduated from high school and studied politics and economics at Pace University. He met his wife of 39 years, Helen Olchak-Otero, in New York City where they were working as bi-lingual teachers. Jose moved to the Albany area with his future wife and worked as a supervisor and exam writer and editor for the N.Y.S. Dept. of Civil Service for 35 years before retiring.
He loved the ocean and walking on the beach. Jose was an avid sports fan and loved watching N.Y. Jets and Yankees games with his son, Daniel. Jose was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who always put his family first. He is remembered by many for his gentle demeanor and his love of animals.
He is survived by his wife, Helen Olchak-Otero; daughter, Elizabeth Otero and her partner, Jose Fabian; son, Daniel Otero and his partner, April Rooney; his granddaughters, Lucy and Maya Fabian, who will miss their "Bu-Bu"; sisters, Maria Boisvert-Otero and Nelida Otero-Flatow; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Relatives and friends are invited to call on Saturday, March 11, from 12 to 2 p.m. at the Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave., Delmar. A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Albany Fund for Education.
To leave the family an online condolence, please visit applebeefuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jose Otero
3 Entries
James J. Hennessey
March 12, 2023
I must express my shock and dismay after reading about the passing of Jose Otero into the next life. Our paths crossed when I was transferred to the Department of Civil Service as an Associate Attorney. Jose worked in the Testing Division where he prepared examinations for candidates for appointment to positions in both State and local governments. I found Jose to be quiet, intelligent, and a very nice guy to be around. Until we all meet again, God Bless You.
Peggy Gutman
March 11, 2023
My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Michi Vonnegut
March 9, 2023
My sincere condolences to Jose´s family on their profound loss. Jose was my first supervisor when I joined the Testing Division of the NYS Department of Civil Service in 1986. I remember that Jose showed me a file drawer of exam requests which I was to review and for which I was to develop appropriate, job-related exams. During my first few months on the job, the number of exam-request folders in that drawer would multiple alarmingly, and it was a complete mystery to me where they were coming from. Jose was a man of few words. I will miss him. With deepest sympathy to his family, Michi Vonnegut
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