Richard L. Othot

obit othot richard

Richard Louis Othot passed away peacefully on Tuesday February 14, 2023, surrounded by his wife and children. Richard was 82 years old and lived in Hudson, NH for most of his life.

Richard is predeceased by his loving parents Maurice Othot and Yvonne (Blanchette) Othot, his brother Rene Othot and his son in law, Timothy Sabol.

He is survived by his best friend and wife of 55 years, Jane (Stafford) Othot, his children Steven Othot of Temple, NH, his favorite daughter Sharon (Othot) Sabol, her partner Eric Hanson of Dunbarton NH, Jason Othot of Old Orchard Beach ME, Brian Othot and his wife Elizabeth Gotthelf Othot, of Old Orchard Beach, ME.

Richard is also survived by his sister Terri (Othot) Stratton, her husband Lee Stratton of Nashua, NH, his brother Michael Othot Sr., his wife Roberta Othot of Lancaster, NH and sister in law Carol Othot of Nashua, NH. He had many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who all loved his gentle and caring soul.

Richard was born on September 27, 1940, and enjoyed a childhood growing up in the small town of Gilman, VT. He loved ice skating, sledding dangerously across the main road with his brother, and most importantly, baseball. His cousin David Blanchette said Richard was a fierce pitcher on the mound and threw a serious knuckleball and fastball. While playing catch, a few repairs were needed to the garage door when David missed catching one of Richard’s heaters.

Richard’s family moved to Nashua, NH in 1956 and he graduated from Nashua High School in 1958. He started working for the Durocher’s ice cream factory which in 1970 was the largest independent ice cream producer in NH. Richard had high standards for his work and set up all of the machinery to specific standards and double checked for accuracy. He was proud to work hard and make lifelong friends there. He challenged coworkers to arm wrestling matches, and many were fooled by his small frame because his arm strength was superior, and he always won.

Everything he did in his life was special. He met his sweetheart at a St. Patrick’s Day party and Jane asked her friend, “Hey, who’s the hood?”. Ten months later, Richard and Jane were married January 6, 1968 on a bright blue, sunny, and freezing cold day in Berlin, NH. It was the last Othot family wedding scheduled in the cold winter months.

Richard bowled in a blind bowling league, won many trophies, and even made it in the newspaper and on TV. Richard was a self-taught musician, often seen with his prized 1968 Martin acoustic guitar in his lap, strumming and singing songs. A brilliantly talented guitar player, Richard could play a 12-string guitar and he could listen to a song once or twice, pick away, and then play the entire melody. The family home was always filled with music.

Richard was a very doting father and was truly invested in his children’s interests. He knew their friends, hobbies and cheered them on in whatever they were invested in, no matter how significant or simple. His children grew up listening to the strum of his guitar and the twins became musicians like their Dad. Richard taught his kids how to play cribbage, poker, shoot pool, ride bikes, play baseball and throw a perfect football spiral. Richard, Jane, and their children enjoyed summers swimming in the pool, well after dark, with the Red Sox playing on the radio. Many pool parties and barbecues were hosted with family and friends and lots of shenanigans.

Richard lived a full life, despite the challenges of being born with an eye condition that caused low vision early in his life and complete blindness in his mid and late life. The darkness did not deter him from seeing the joy, goodness and humor with his family and friends. He beamed with pride at his children’s triumphs. He enjoyed any family event, reunion, gathering or simple cookouts. Richard endured tent camping and boating adventures with his wife, daughter, and son in law. Richard listened to NASCAR to support his oldest son’s interest and went to NH Motor Speedway to listen to him drive a race car.

He suffered through many Red Sox and Patriots losses, vowing to never listen to them again, but he always came back to the teams in which he was so loyal. Richard was often seen donned in New England sports teams jerseys and hats. A brick in Richard’s honor in on Concourse B at Fenway Park when they celebrated Fenway’s 100th Anniversary. Richard got to feel his brick and sit in Ted Williams seat in the right field bleachers, commemorating the longest home run ever hit inside Fenway.

Richard was an authentic and genuine listener, which is why he was a best friend to so many people. He had a quiet and witty sense of humor and loved sharing a good laugh over an ice cream sandwich, or three. He is already deeply missed.

A graveside service will be held Tuesday, March 7 at 11am at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, 75 Derry Road in Hudson. All may please meet at the cemetery. A luncheon will be held following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard’s memory to Future in Sight (formerly the NH Association for the Blind), 25 Walker Street, Concord, NH 03301, info@futureinsight.org, (603) 224-4039, www.classy.org/give/392547/#!/donation/checkout.