Rafael “Ralf” Otero, 51, of East Hartford, loving husband of Lisandra “Lisy” (Gonzalez) Otero, peacefully entered into eternal life at his home with his beloved family by his side on Friday, March 27, 2020 after a valiant four year battle with cancer. Born in Hartford on February 2, 1969, he had been a resident of the Hartford/East Hartford area for most of his life. Ralf was a graduate of Bulkeley High School in Hartford, Class of 1988 where he was a standout basketball player. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force National Guard during the era of the Operation Desert Shield/Storm. Rafael was a dedicated Corrections Officer for 18 years with the State of CT-Department of Corrections until his illness prevented him from continuing his career.
Ralf was proud of his home and enjoyed caring for his yard, gardening, and decorating for all of the holidays, especially at Christmas. He liked playing darts and participated in the Greater Hartford Dart League, and was an avid fan of the New York Yankees, Pittsburg Steelers, and Los Angeles Lakers. He was also known for quoting famous statements from any popular movie. Most of all, Ralf was a devoted husband, father, brother, and friend who was passionate about his entire family and the many friends whom he considered as family members.
In addition to his caring wife Lisandra, Rafael is survived by a son, Rafael Otero, Jr. of East Hartford; his mother, Laura (Martinez) Otero in Juncos, Puerto Rico; his step-father, Jose Torres of Juncos, Puerto Rico; a step-son, Richard Molina of Broad Brook; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Juan and Maria Gonzalez of Ponce, Puerto Rico; six brothers, Miguel Otero and his wife, Leeann, of West Hartford, Geraldo Otero and his wife, Ana, of East Hartford, Edward Otero of East Hartford, Angel Otero and his wife, Ana, of South Windsor, Carlos Torres and his wife, Ericka, of Glastonbury, Antonio Torres and his wife, Rocio, of Hartford; three sisters, Enid Otero and her husband, Jose Marrero, of Juncos, Puerto Rico, Herminia Otero and her husband, Geraldo Wenger, of Cromwell, Maria Castillo and her husband, Juan, of East Hartford; two brothers-in-law, John Gonzalez and his wife, Yonara, of Palmetto, FL, Richard Gonzalez and his wife, Milly, of Enfield; a step-grandson, Abel Perez of Broad Brook; many uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, co-workers, and dear friends. He was predeceased by his father, Miguel Angel Otero and a brother, Francisco Otero.
Due to the present health crisis, all services are private and being held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Rafael’s name may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston MA, 02284-9168. The D’ESOPO-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford has been entrusted with the care of the funeral arrangements. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopoeh.com.
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Dana Farber Cancer InstituteP.O. Box 849168, Boston, Massachusetts 02284-9168
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