Obituary for José Manuel Otero
José Manuel Otero passed away on June 10, 2022, after a two-year battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving wife, Joaquina Otero (age 75), his daughter, Melissa Otero, Psy.D. (age 40), his son, José Manuel Otero, Ph.D. (age 43), their spouses Stephanie Otero and Raúl Hernández, Ph.D., and his grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Antonia Sieira Castelo and José Otero Otero, and his brothers Beningo and Antonio Otero Sieira. He is survived by his sister Maria Otero Sieira.
Mr. Otero was born July 9, 1947, in Galicia, a beautiful sea-side region in the northwest corner of Spain, in a town called Nebra, Porto do Son, A Coruña. Mr. Otero grew up loved and cared for by his grandparents, and particularly adored his grandfather (also his godfather or ‘Padrino’), Manuel Sieira Queiruga, who he credits with shaping his character and principles. Mr. Otero was also his grandfather’s apprentice and learned from him how to be a metalsmith. Mr. Otero came from a long line of metalsmiths and master craftsmen, and in the family home they had an iron shop and forge (‘Fragua’), where he formally trained in all aspects of machining, and later with mastery of the metal lathe. Mr. Otero, at only 16, on the recommendation of his beloved uncle, Antonio Sieira Castelo, joined the Merchant Marine, boarding his first ship in Barcelona. He went on to become a Master Machinist navigating the world on large shipping vessels.
After several years of increasing positions of responsibility on merchant vessels calling on ports across the Mediterranean in Spain, Italy, Lebanon, Egypt, and others, he completed two years of required service in the Spanish Navy. Then he resumed his career as a merchant marine, continuing to develop his skills. In 1970, Mr. Otero came to the United States of America, via his merchant vessel that had arrived in port in Texas. Leaving behind his job, family, and country, he flew from Texas to New York City, to reunite with the love of his life, Joaquina Otero, who had already immigrated with her family. They married on September 1, 1973, in Our Lady of Fatima Church in Jackson Heights, Queens, NY. Mr. Otero found a new career as an auto-repair mechanic, working first for Porsche Audi Volkswagen dealerships, and became a formally-trained Porsche specialist and master technician. Always an entrepreneur, he went on to operate his own auto-repair shop, Shore Road Motors, Inc., in Bayridge, Brooklyn. As was featured in the NY Daily News, Shore Road Motors eventually became one of the largest Porsche specialty shops in the New York City metro-area, servicing more than 60 Porsche automobiles per week, and supported customizations and racing enthusiasts. Mr. Otero’s core training as a master machinist enabled him to have both an incredible depth and breadth. In 1997, Mr. Otero closed Shore Road Motors in order to devote himself more fully to his real-estate investments. In partnership with his wife, they worked tremendously hard to build a real-estate portfolio in New York City and Greenwich, CT.
His true passion, however, was almost single-handedly rebuilding his home. While many may view the exquisite old-world craftsmanship, that included custom stonework, inlaid wood working, advanced plumbing and electrical systems, and much more, as his greatest achievement, he always took much more pride in the success of his children. One of the biggest joys of Mr. Otero’s life was enabling his children to have the education and careers he never could. His son, Manny, graduated from MIT with undergraduate and graduate degrees in Chemical and Biomedical Engineering. In 2009, he completed a PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering, from the Chalmers University of Technology. His daughter, Melissa, graduated from Boston College with a BA, in Communications and Psychology. In 2009, she graduated with a Doctorate in Psychology from the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. His son is currently the Chief Technology Officer of Turnstone Biologics, and his daughter is school psychologist for Sacred Heart Greenwich and has a private practice working with children and adolescents.
He was a loving grandfather, and truly enjoyed being surrounded by his grandchildren: Laura Alice Josefa Otero (5 years old), José Raúl Otero Hernández (4 years old), Clara Antonia Marjorie Otero (3 years old), and Lucia Maria Otero (2 years old). They adored him, calling him ‘Nano’ and loved riding with him on his tractor, or just snuggling on his lap. He has had an incredible impact on their lives and true to his gentle, loving nature, formed a unique and special bond with each of them. He never tired of holding and hugging them, and always made time to play, to their absolute delight. His love and example will leave an indelible mark on their lives, even though he shared too few years with them.
There will be a visitation for Mr. Otero on June 14, 2022, from 4PM to 8PM at Castiglione Funeral Home, 544 Old Post Rd #3, Greenwich, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on June 15, 2022, at 11AM at St Michaels Church in Greenwich with burial to follow at St. Mary Cemetery, 399 North St., Greenwich, CT.
Mr. Otero was born July 9, 1947, in Galicia, a beautiful sea-side region in the northwest corner of Spain, in a town called Nebra, Porto do Son, A Coruña. Mr. Otero grew up loved and cared for by his grandparents, and particularly adored his grandfather (also his godfather or ‘Padrino’), Manuel Sieira Queiruga, who he credits with shaping his character and principles. Mr. Otero was also his grandfather’s apprentice and learned from him how to be a metalsmith. Mr. Otero came from a long line of metalsmiths and master craftsmen, and in the family home they had an iron shop and forge (‘Fragua’), where he formally trained in all aspects of machining, and later with mastery of the metal lathe. Mr. Otero, at only 16, on the recommendation of his beloved uncle, Antonio Sieira Castelo, joined the Merchant Marine, boarding his first ship in Barcelona. He went on to become a Master Machinist navigating the world on large shipping vessels.
After several years of increasing positions of responsibility on merchant vessels calling on ports across the Mediterranean in Spain, Italy, Lebanon, Egypt, and others, he completed two years of required service in the Spanish Navy. Then he resumed his career as a merchant marine, continuing to develop his skills. In 1970, Mr. Otero came to the United States of America, via his merchant vessel that had arrived in port in Texas. Leaving behind his job, family, and country, he flew from Texas to New York City, to reunite with the love of his life, Joaquina Otero, who had already immigrated with her family. They married on September 1, 1973, in Our Lady of Fatima Church in Jackson Heights, Queens, NY. Mr. Otero found a new career as an auto-repair mechanic, working first for Porsche Audi Volkswagen dealerships, and became a formally-trained Porsche specialist and master technician. Always an entrepreneur, he went on to operate his own auto-repair shop, Shore Road Motors, Inc., in Bayridge, Brooklyn. As was featured in the NY Daily News, Shore Road Motors eventually became one of the largest Porsche specialty shops in the New York City metro-area, servicing more than 60 Porsche automobiles per week, and supported customizations and racing enthusiasts. Mr. Otero’s core training as a master machinist enabled him to have both an incredible depth and breadth. In 1997, Mr. Otero closed Shore Road Motors in order to devote himself more fully to his real-estate investments. In partnership with his wife, they worked tremendously hard to build a real-estate portfolio in New York City and Greenwich, CT.
His true passion, however, was almost single-handedly rebuilding his home. While many may view the exquisite old-world craftsmanship, that included custom stonework, inlaid wood working, advanced plumbing and electrical systems, and much more, as his greatest achievement, he always took much more pride in the success of his children. One of the biggest joys of Mr. Otero’s life was enabling his children to have the education and careers he never could. His son, Manny, graduated from MIT with undergraduate and graduate degrees in Chemical and Biomedical Engineering. In 2009, he completed a PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering, from the Chalmers University of Technology. His daughter, Melissa, graduated from Boston College with a BA, in Communications and Psychology. In 2009, she graduated with a Doctorate in Psychology from the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. His son is currently the Chief Technology Officer of Turnstone Biologics, and his daughter is school psychologist for Sacred Heart Greenwich and has a private practice working with children and adolescents.
He was a loving grandfather, and truly enjoyed being surrounded by his grandchildren: Laura Alice Josefa Otero (5 years old), José Raúl Otero Hernández (4 years old), Clara Antonia Marjorie Otero (3 years old), and Lucia Maria Otero (2 years old). They adored him, calling him ‘Nano’ and loved riding with him on his tractor, or just snuggling on his lap. He has had an incredible impact on their lives and true to his gentle, loving nature, formed a unique and special bond with each of them. He never tired of holding and hugging them, and always made time to play, to their absolute delight. His love and example will leave an indelible mark on their lives, even though he shared too few years with them.
There will be a visitation for Mr. Otero on June 14, 2022, from 4PM to 8PM at Castiglione Funeral Home, 544 Old Post Rd #3, Greenwich, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on June 15, 2022, at 11AM at St Michaels Church in Greenwich with burial to follow at St. Mary Cemetery, 399 North St., Greenwich, CT.