Eugene R Otto

Born in Stapleton, he lived in New Brighton for many years, and moved to Silver Lake in the late 1990s.

He was a custodian for about 20 years at Borough Hall in St. George, and retired in 1996.

Family members said he was known for his kindness, generosity and sociability.

“On any given day you would always find Eugene in his chair outside greeting and conversing with the people of his neighborhood,” said his daughter, Joan Townley. “Eugene led a simple life and had a great love for his family. It was always an amazing sight to see how many people knew and loved him wherever he went.”

He enjoyed crabbing, trips to the racetrack and playing scratch-off lottery games.

In addition to daughter, Joan, surviving are two sons, Michael and Steven; four more daughters, Susan Rizzo, Maryann Petti, Deborah Mayo and Linda Torres; two sisters, Barbara Strofield and Patricia Biletzke; 13 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be Friday at 10 a.m. in the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Castleton Corners.

Arrangements under the direction of Harmon Funeral Home, Staten Island, NY.