Otis Crawford Ervin

Otis Crawford Ervin (aka Buster), was born March 12th, 1955 in Greensboro, North Carolina to the late Ollie Mae Ervin and Johnny Copeland. He was the second oldest of six children. Otis departed this life on October 2nd, 2014 at the age of 59 at St. John’s Riverside Hospital in Yonkers, NY.

In 1964 his family moved from Greensboro, NC to New Rochelle, NY. Otis attended schools in both Greensboro, NC and New Rochelle, NY. While attending New Rochelle High School his interest was in gymnastics. He spent many years working and living a fruitful life and building many lifelong friendships. He was known for his cleverness, patience, love for dogs and horses. Most of all he was a very private, well known and respected man.

In his early twenties, he learned to drive tractor trailers. He held several big “Big Rig” jobs and travelled many places. Otis worked for a horse vet in Georgia as a driver and eventually became the vets assistant. Otis travelled to Canada where he was a blacksmith at the top race tracks. While living in Canada, he became good friends with Ruben “Hurricane” Carter. He had various jobs during his life span but the one he loved the most was caring for the horses. He worked for many years as a blacksmith/farrier for many well-known celebrities (Chevy Chase, Richard Gere, and Jennifer O’Neil) in upper Westchester County, NY as well as working as a horseman in Iran in 1979. In fact some of the most beautiful wrought iron gates where created by Otis when he freelanced with a fence company. He always acknowledged he was trained by the best, Mr. Henry Heitmand and Mr. Mike Boylan, who were well renowned blacksmiths in the Bedford, NY area.

Otis was also known as the horse whisperer, winning the trust of the horses he cared for. His love for horses lead him to his most ideal job, working for Anheuser Budweiser Clydesdales horses in Merrimack, New Hampshire. He worked as a driver in the parades and groomer for the Clydesdales for which he called the “gentle giants”. His favorite horse was Ben.

“Miracle Hoof Oil” is a product that was created/developed and patented by Otis. This is a product that farriers/horsemen call “magic” for healthy horse hoofs. It’s good for chipped feet, flares, white line disease, cracks and toughens the sole and cure for much more.

Cherishing his memories forever are his sisters Veveline Hollis (NY), Selina R. Ervin (NY) and his brother Eric L. Ervin (Retired Navy Chief Petty Officer, VA), nieces Iaysha Hollis-Johnson (NY), Anastashia L. Ervin (NY), nephew Shaka Whittingham (NY), nephew/adopted son Anton L. Ervin (NY), grandnephew Makai Johnson and grandniece Maiyah Johnson, brother-in-law Fred Whittingham (NY). He is also survived by his loving cousins Etrulia Reed of Greensboro, NC, Louise Lilly and family from San Diego, CA, the Harris and Mayhand families, the Myree family all from Greensboro, NC and a host of relatives and friends. Otis is predeceased by his mother Ollie M. Ervin, father Johnny Copeland and two brothers Ronald Ervin and Oliver M. Ervin.

Arrangements under the direction of George T. Davis Funeral Home, New Rochelle, NY.