Reverend Thomas Martin Otto

Rev. Thomas Martin Otto, 72, of Aztec, New Mexico passed away Monday, July 5, 2010 in Aztec. He was born July 9, 1937 in Orange, New Jersey, the son of Henry Frank and Marietta Voos Otto. Father Tom was educated at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey, and at St. Francis in Loretto, Pennsylvania. He was ordained by Bishop George Ahr at St. Mary’s Cathedral on May 26, 1973 for the Diocese of Trenton, New Jersey. During a leave of absence from the priesthood Father Tom taught as a lay teacher at schools in St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Melbourne, Florida. He went to the Diocese of Palm Beach, Florida in 1989. Father Tom served at a few different parishes and was incardinated into the Diocese of Palm Beach on March 27, 1997. He retired on August 1, 2003, at which time he moved to Aztec. During his retirement Father Tom helped at the parishes of St. Joseph in Aztec and Holy Trinity in Flora Vista. He is survived by his adopted son, Scott O’Connor; his grandsons, Eric O’Connor and Jacob O’Connor all of Bradenton, Florida; his sister, Mary Lou Dennis of Port Charlotte, Florida; his nephew, Robert Dennis of Huston, Texas; and numerous friends. Father Tom was a compassionate priest, father, grandfather and friend. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Rosary will be recited Thursday, July 15 at 7:00pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Aztec. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 16 at 10:00am at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Aztec Community Cemetery. Pallbearers are Leo Esquibel, Larry Hatch, Paul Owens, Frank Pecoraro, Dennis Quillen and Rex Rosenbaugh. Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home 103 East Ute St. Farmington, NM 87401 (505) 325-8688