Helping Otis Russell & Family

Our friend Otis Russell, a longtime standout in our beautiful town of Chatham, now needs the support of the very community to which he has given so much. As difficult as it is to believe, Otis was diagnosed a few months ago with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. He is currently resting at home with Hospice care, attended by his wife Monica and his son Nicholas, who is home from college.

Many of you know Otis and his smile from the Chatham Squire where he worked the raw bar and was night manager for 28 years, before transitioning to the Wequassett Inn seven years ago. Always quick-witted and ready with a gentle rebuke should you not follow his sophisticated humor, Otis has brought laughter and fun to our community for decades. But he has done so much more for Chatham.

 

Otis conceived Chatham’s notable Art of Charity in 1994. Working closely with The Chronicle’s Tim Wood for 25 years, the pair held a series of summer auctions and sent annual fundraising appeals which raised over $500,000 for local charities such as Monomoy Community Services, Chatham Children’s Fund, the Boy and Girl Scouts, and several other organizations focused on helping our local youth. Otis also organized several wine dinners to benefit the Creative Arts Center and was always very generous in lending his time and expertise to other charities. Otis and Tim also collaborated together in the now infamous roasts of several Chatham Selectmen. In March 2021, Otis authored the children’s book "Sammy Finds a Home, An Up-Lifting Tale for Edgy Children” where Otis’ wit and humor came alive. Through his work, humor, and generosity, Otis has made a real difference in our community.

Many have asked how best to help and support Otis and his family. With the challenge of face-to-face visits due to COVID, the greatest help is in the form of monetary donations to assist the family defray the costs of his two surgeries, medical treatment, and the months-long interruption of both he and Monica’s work schedule.

 

Many thanks to everyone for the incredible support and love.  Your kind words and gestures have made a difficult time easier. We will update this site as frequently as possible.