Obituary of Jose Luis Otero, Jr.

Jose Luis Otero, Jr., 71, passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.  He was a fighter, battling multiple illnesses for many years.

Born June 27, 1951 in Havana, Cuba, he was the son of the late Jose Luis Otero, Sr. and Nelida Zerquera-Otero. He came to this country from Cuba via Operation Pedro Pan at age 10 with his sister and cousin, living in an orphanage until his parents were able to join them the following year.  Jose graduated high school and studied politics and economics at Pace University.  He met his wife of 39 years, Helen Olchak-Otero, in NYC where they were working as bi-lingual teachers.  Jose moved to the Albany area with his future wife and worked as a supervisor and exam writer/editor for the NYS Dept. of Civil Service for 35 years before retiring.

He loved the ocean and walking on the beach.  Jose was an avid sports fan and loved watching N.Y. Jets and Yankees games with his son, Daniel.  Jose was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who always put his family first. He is remembered by many for his gentle demeanor and his love of animals.

He is survived by his wife, Helen Olchak-Otero; daughter, Elizabeth Otero and her partner, Jose Fabian; son, Daniel Otero and his partner, April Rooney; his granddaughters, Lucy and Maya Fabian, who will miss their “Bu-Bu”; sisters, Maria Boisvert-Otero and Nelida Otero-Flatow; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Saturday, Mar. 11 from 12 to 2 p.m. at Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave., Delmar.  A memorial service will follow at 2 pm at the funeral home.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Albany Fund for Education.