Maurice Otis

Maurice Bromley Otis, age 87, of 41 Beechwood Drive, Saranac Lake, died Monday, January 03, 2011 at Adirondack Medical Center

Born in Plattsburgh, New York on January 20, 1923, he was the son of Fitz-Edward and Gertrude (Bromley) Otis.

Maury subsequently lived in Lake Clear, Horseheads, Saratoga Springs, Slingerlands and New York before moving to Saranac Lake in 1973. He attended the University of Michigan, Butler University and the University of Hawaii. He married Clorice Case of Little Valley, NY on April 22, 1944 in Sioux Falls, SD. Maury was initially employed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation starting in 1949 as a Senior Engineering Aid in the Division of Fish and Wildlife's engineering section. He became a Supervisor of Lake and Stream Improvement in 1959 responsible for statewide development programs involving public fishing rights, boat launches, fishing access sites and special fish management devices and structures. He was appointed Principal Fish and Wildlife Biologist in 1971 and served as Executive Assistant to the Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife until 1973. He was transferred to the DEC Region 5 Office in Ray Brook as Regional Supervisor of Fish and Wildlife. He subsequently became Supervisor of Natural Resources until his retirement in 1985. During his professional career, he was the author of many technical and informational articles and publications. He was a veteran of the United States Army Air Force during World War II serving as a Sergeant in the Pacific Theater. He is a past member of the American Legion, Fisheries Society and its New York Chapter, Kappa Sigma Fraternity, the NY Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Northeast Society of Conservation Engineers serving as President in 1967. He was recipient of that organization’s Engineer of the Year award in 1981. He was a member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Saranac Lake and named a Paul Harris Fellow in the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International in 1992. He served as a member of the Town of Harrietstown Planning Board from 1985 to 1989. He was also an avid fisherman and life member of the Saranac Lake Fish and Game Club. After retirement, Maury and Casey loved to travel together, traveling all over the United States and Europe. Maury especially loved fly fishing and would travel annually to Montana along with his wife to one of his favorite fly fishing locations.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years Casey Otis of Saranac Lake, NY, two sons Fitz-Edward Otis II (Edit) of Sarasota, FL and Michael Case Otis (Mary E.) of Gallupville, NY, two daughters Judith Ann Otis (Richard Wilson) of Elizabeth City, NC and M. Pamela Otis (Richard Curreri) of Voorheesville, NY, 8 Grandchildren Janet Neilson (Stanley), Fitz-Edward Otis III (Susan), Michelle Brantley (Leonard), Deborah Breen (Mark), Kellie Fredericks (John), Kate E. Otis (Eli Rabinowitz), Allison Curreri and Richard Curreri, and 8 Great Grandchildren.

Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home on Thursday, January 6, 2011 from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. An American Legion Service will take place on Thursday at 7:00 PM at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 12:00 PM on Friday January 7, 2011 at St. Bernard's Church, with Rev. Mark Reilly officiating. Burial will take place in May in the Town of Harrietstown Cemetery in Saranac Lake.

Friends wishing to remember Maury may make memorial contributions to Saranac Lake Free Library or High Peaks Hospice in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.