Otto Ernest Saalborn

Otto Ernest Saalborn, Jr.

March 6, 1931 – November 28, 2024

Otto Ernest Saalborn, Jr., 93, passed away peacefully at home on November 28, 2024, in Brooksville, FL surrounded by family in the final weeks of his life. Otto had a quick wit, a gentle manner, and a curiosity about the world which he captured with his camera and explored as an amateur radio operator (W1GNJ).

He was born on March 6, 1931, in Bronx, NY to Otto and Maria Saalborn.  His love of photography started as a young boy with a darkroom in his parents’ house in Bayside, NY and continued throughout his life.

Otto received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a M.S. in Industrial Management from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn.  His work as an engineer started at GTE Laboratories in Bayside, NY. 

He married his childhood sweetheart, Lorraine Bizer, in 1959 and they had three children together.  In 1969, he took a job at Mosler Electronic Systems in Danbury, CT and moved his family to Connecticut. The family took camping trips every summer and enjoyed boating and skiing on nearby Lake Candlewood.

After leaving Mosler, Otto went to work for Burns International Security Services in Briarcliff, NY and finally to Nuclear Energy Services in Danbury, CT where he retired in 1988.  During his time in Connecticut, he served on a town Planning Commission and was a Merit Badge Counselor for the Boy Scouts.  After retirement, he kept busy with photography, restoring and repairing clocks, and tuning pianos.

Lorraine passed away from cancer in 1987.  Otto married Pearle Fairchild in 1993 and they retired together to Brooksville, FL.  Otto enjoyed participating in the Spring Hill Camera Club where he won several awards for his photographs.  He was also the audio engineer for their church, Spring Hill United Church of Christ, for many years.  Pearle passed away in 2023.

Otto is survived by his sons Eric and Scott (Sandra), his daughter Ruthann (Robert), his grandchildren Finnegan, Alexander, Samantha, Luke, Amelia, Emma, and Georgia as well as his sister, Greta Colagrande.  He is also survived by Pearle’s sons John and James (Amy) and grandchildren Matthew and Andrew.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Compassionate Connections at Spring Hill UCC, 4244 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill, FL 34609

FUNERAL 

Saturday, January 18, 2025 1:00 PM New Fairfield Congregational Church 

20 Gillotti Rd. New Fairfield, CT..  Burial will immediately follow at the Gerow Cemetery

4 Quaker Rd. NF, CT 06812.  A reception will immediately follow the burial at the NF Congregational Church Hall on 20 Gillotti Rd. in NF, CT 

All are invited to join  

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