Otis P. Jeffers Jr. died peacefully on July 8 at the VA Hospice unit in Brockton. He was 87.
He was the husband of Barbara Debettencourt Jeffers, who predeceased him in October 2017. He was the father of Peter Jeffers and the stepfather to David and Jackie Amaral. He was a Wampanoag tribal elder.
Otis was born on July 26, 1933 in Oak Bluffs to Otis P. Jeffers and Thelma Randolph. He grew up on the Vineyard and enlisted in the United States Marine Corp at the age of 19. He served in the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1955, returning home with many honors. His Purple Heart and Good Conduct medals were two of his proudest accolades.
Upon his return from Korea, he worked for Goodale Construction and Olsen Brothers as a machine operator. In 1970, he moved his family to Lakeville to begin his career at UPS. In 1975, he moved back to Martha’s Vineyard and became one of the two UPS drivers on the Vineyard. He was loved by his customers on his up-Island route and made many friends over the years. He retired from UPS in 1995, and he and his wife Barbara split their time between their home on West Spring street in Vineyard Haven and Hollywood, Fla.
Otis loved to hunt. Whether it was goose, rabbit or deer, he enjoyed it all. He shared many hunting seasons with his brother Ronnie and the Pachico, Ferreira, Canha and Silvia families over the years. His hunting wasn’t limited to Martha’s Vineyard; he also hunted with Vincent (Cuddy) Lopez from Mashpee and in upstate New York and Maine with Freddie Ferreira. Lobstering alongside his dear friend Pat Jenkinson was one of his favorite past times. Hosting a traditional clambake, surrounded by family and friends, brought him much joy.
After his wife’s death, Otis moved back north to Taunton with close family friend Jimmy Kelly. Jimmy took great care of Otis and his dog Peanut. Otis’s family will be forever grateful for this.
He is survived by his son Peter and daughter in law Rita Jeffers, stepson David Amaral, stepdaughter Jackie Amaral; grandson Mason Jeffers, granddaughters Meaghan Jeffers, Mia Jeffers, Beth Gauthier and her wife Kristy Gauthier and Merri Cestrone and her husband Jimmy; great-grandchildren Anthony, Teia, Farrah and Faith Cestrone, Frank and Liam Gauthier, and several nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held on Thursday, August 5 at 11 a.m. at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Oak Bluffs, officiated by the Rev. Vicky Hanjian, with military honors provided by the veterans of Martha’s Vineyard. Visit www.chapmanfuneral.com for online tributes and information.
