Otto G. Anuth

Long-time Great Kills resident Otto Anuth, 83, passed away on Saturday, January 13, 2024. Otto is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Elaine; son James and his wife Margaret of Asbury, NJ; and son Michael also of Great Kills. He also leaves behind numerous beloved nieces, nephews,and their children, all the extended family of his late brother Werner and his wife Inge; his late sister and brother-in-law Sophie and Henry; and his sister-in-law Claire. Otto was born in the rural farming community of Plauten, East Prussia, Germany (now Pluty, Poland) in 1940, just after the start of World War II. During the brutally cold winter of 1945, his family fled the Soviet advance, first on horse-drawn cart and then on foot, making a hazardous crossing of the frozen Vistula Lagoon. They eventually settled less than four miles from the Dutch border in the town of Baesweiler, West Germany where he apprenticed to become an electrician. He came to the United States at the age of 18 and called Staten Island home for the rest of his life. Having officially become a permanent resident, Otto served in the United States Army, 1st Cavalry Division, for two years as a Private First Class and was deployed to Vietnam in 1965. On his return from Vietnam, he married Elaine Thornton, living first on Grymes Hill, then moving to Great Kills where he resided for the remainder of his life. He was proudly naturalized as a US citizen in 1971. Otto worked for the Staten Island Railway for 41 years, beginning his career when it was still a division of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. He spent his early days (and nights) climbing telephone poles and maintaining signals for the Arthur Kill vertical lift bridge. Otto was a true do-it-yourselfer who imparted a ''you can figure it out'' attitude to all those around him. Throughout his many years on the Staten Island Railway, he encouraged and mentored others to excel in the workplace, building life-long friendships in the process even as he was promoted to a number of increasingly important positions. When he finally retired in 2001 as ''S1'' - Superintendent of Signals, Power, & Communications, his retirement party at the Staaten was a standing room only event. For the next chapter in his life, Otto embarked on extensive travels with Elaine and Michael in their motorhome, touring the country and visiting no less than 45 states. Later, he discovered the joys of cruising and took numerous trips with family and friends to Alaska, Bermuda, the Caribbean, and Canada. Tours further abroad to Ireland, England, and France followed. He particularly enjoyed a 2015 trip to Germany with his son Jim that included a return to the village of his birth in Poland, a visit to his old stomping grounds around Baesweiler, sightseeing in Berlin, and - a particular highlight - attending Munich's Oktoberfest. Otto loved many things, but he especially loved dogs, ''the-more-the-merrier'' gatherings of family and friends, plentiful food and drink, and launching into the song Ein Prosit whenever or wherever the occasion arose. If all those things could be combined (and they often were), he was at his happiest. His deep voice and hearty laughter helped fuel those get-togethers and made them all the more memorable. Otto could often be found relaxing with friends and family in the pool or hot tub at his son Jim's house, a cold beer and happy dog(s) at his side. He placed a huge emphasis on time spent with family and friends; they meant everything to him and it showed in the way that he welcomed you into his home: a big bear hug, a drink pressed into your hand, and a toast raised - usually followed by a preview of some massive platter of meat that was destined for dinner. Affectionately known as ''Mr. Gadget'' by friends and family, there was little Otto couldn't pull apart and figure out, fix, or upgrade. He was fond of new-fangled technology in any form. In his youth, he dabbled in HAM radio and as an adult was fascinated by the constant march of computer technology, gizmos, and gadgets. In later years, he took to the iPad like a duck to water and found great enjoyment exploring - and shopping for - new gadgets. Much to his chagrin, he had an unerring ability to have his mouth open in nearly every photo taken of him, despite being told numerous times to please stop talking and just look at the camera already! Finding good photos of him during this difficult time has been both a challenge and a joy, remembering the many times that habit made us laugh and take a dozen more photos just to get one good one. When all else failed, reminding him of one of the many dogs he loved could be counted on to make him focus and just smile for the camera. With that in mind, Otto's family kindly ask that in lieu of flowers, anyone interested please consider a donation to the Best Friends Animal Society in his memory. ''S1, out.'' The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Inc., 28 Eltingville Blvd, Staten Island, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at St. Clare Church located at 110 Nelson Ave Staten Island, New York 10308. Interment will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Staten Island, NY.

Otto G. Anuth

August 21, 1940 - January 13, 2024