Phil K. Otto

Phil Kent Otto, age 74, of Norwich, NY, passed away on March 23, 2026, at Valley View Manor Nursing Home. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 43 years, Carolyn A. (Kilgore). He was also preceded in death by his father, Paul, and his twin brother, also named Paul.

Phil is survived by his sisters, Phyllis (Jon) Smith of Binghamton, and Paula (Gregg) Gevaudan of Maryland. He is also lovingly remembered by his Aunt Catharine Christensen of Marcy, NY. and his cousin Nancy Ferringer and family of Knox, PA. Phil’s family includes two nieces, four nephews, and their families.

Phil was born in Norwich, NY, on September 4, 1951. He graduated from Windsor Central High School in 1969 and John F. Kennedy College in Nebraska with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1973. He was awarded the Kennedy Key. He went on to graduate from the University of Alabama with a Master of Public Administration degree in 1976. He continued his studies and graduated with a second master’s degree from Beeson Divinity School of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama in 1997.

Phil was devoted to God. He was a Lay Preacher. You could find him giving a sermon at many churches throughout his life in Alabama and NY and at the Valley View Nursing Home.

In his youth, Phil enjoyed going to Chases Lake in the Adirondacks, staying at his grandparents’ cabin with his siblings and cousins.

Phil enjoyed collecting souvenir postcard folders of which he had thousands. He enjoyed giving talks on them. He also enjoyed cats, playing pinochle, rooting for his favorite baseball team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and history, especially the Civil War.

The family would like to thank the personnel at Valley View Manor Nursing Home in Norwich for their care and kindness over the past three years. Private services are under the direction of R. J. Fahy Funeral Home in Norwich. A private graveside service will be held at the Sylvan Lawn Cemetery, Greene, NY at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Diaconate Fund at the First Baptist Church of Norwich, 110 W Park Place, Norwich NY 13815.