James E. Ottilige

Middletown, RI - James Ernst Ottilige, 80, of 107 Green End Avenue, Middletown, RI, died Monday, February 14, 2011 at Newport Hospital, surrounded by his family.He was the husband of Paula Peckham Ottilige. Born in Newport, RI on December 7, 1930, he was the son of the late Charles and Aimee Taylor Ottilige.Mr. Ottilige served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He worked as an electrician for Bestoso Butterton from 1955 until his retirement in 2000. Mr. Ottilige was a Past Master of the Masons St. Johns Lodge, Past High Priest of the Royal Arch of Masons, Master of the Aquidneck Grange, a member of the Debloise Council and the Scottish Rite 32nd degree. He was also a member of Emmanuel Church where he was in the choir since 1938, and also was on the Vestry, the Altar Guild and he also taught Sunday school. Mr. Ottilige was a volunteer at Newport Hospital and received the Shinning Star award for outstanding customer service in 2010. Besides his wife of 60 years, he is survived by his daughters, Debra Venancio and her husband Perry of Middletown, RI, and Sandy J. Chapman and her husband Ken of Portsmouth, RI, five grandchildren, Stephanie Forgue, Perry Venancio, Kevin Venancio, Lyndsay Chapman and Kristen Chapman and three great grandchildren, Brandon Venancio, Brady Venancio and Zoe Forgue.He was the brother of the late Charles Ottilige, Jr. and Elizabeth Rogers. Calling hours will be held on Friday, February 18, 2011, from 4-8pm, in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.His funeral will be held on Saturday, February 19, 2011, at 10:00am, from the Memorial Funeral Home, with a service at 11:00am, in Emmanuel Church, 42 Dearborn Street, Newport. Burial will be in Middletown Cemetery in Middletown. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Emmanuel Church, 42 Dearborn Street, Newport, RI 02840 or the Middletown Rescue Wagon Fund, 239 Wyatt Road, Middletown, RI 02842.