John Otto Schtatz

John Otto Schtatz, 72, of Killingworth, CT. died peacefully at his home on May 2, after a six-year illness which he endured with grace and dignity. He was predeceased by his parents, Otto and Marie Schtatz who established their family in this country, arriving in 1950 after the war in Europe. He leaves his beloved sisters Villie Tine and Teka Schtatz who were also his close and loving friends. In addition to his sisters, he will be sorely missed by brother-in-law David Tine, JoAnn Tine and wife Ann Marsh, a close and loving group with whom he shared holidays and Sunday dinners for many decades.

Also, John leaves his dear cousin Ellie Muggleston (and husband Steve Stetson) with whom he grew up as a member of his immediate family. In addition, John leaves his cousins Deborah Noble (and husband James), and their children Kristen Noble, Nicole D'Amato (and husband Vincent and son Dylan) and Alyssa Booker (and husband Spencer and daughter Reagan); Christopher Orsine (and husband Tom Magnani); and Daniel Orsine (and wife Ann and their children Nico and Aquinnah). John's warm and caring manner will be missed by his family and by his friends, many of whom were part of his life from his early years.

John was a graduate of Southern Connecticut State University. Over the course of his career he worked with several local and national companies in various retail capacities. Among John's many special interests were his love of art museums, music, botanical gardens and nurseries, mission furniture and the many "finds" he discovered while antiquing in shops and at annual fairs. One of John's favorite pastimes and great talents was gardening; his home was filled with flowers, vegetable gardens and plants of all kinds - a love surely inherited from his parents who always had the most magnificent gardens in the neighborhood.

A celebration of John's life for his family and friends will be held at a date to be announced.