Hilton J Otero

Hilton J. Otero, 89, of East Hanover, passed away peacefully with his wife by his side on May 15, 2018, after suffering from a heart condition for over 20 years.

 Hilton retired from Arts High School and the Newark Board of Education in 1992.  He enjoyed being the principal of Arts High School completely.  The young adults who were talented in the visual and performing arts made his experience there a delight.

 Shortly after his honorable discharge from the U.S Air Force, he married his childhood sweetheart, Columbia “Bina” Restaino. 

Hilton started his teaching career in 1952 at Union City, NJ.  There, he taught high school Spanish and elementary level subjects in English to Youngsters who had recently arrived from Cuba.

 His teaching and supervisory positions in Newark included teacher of Spanish and French at Arts and Barringer High Schools.  He had also became chairperson of foreign languages at Arts, Barringer, Central and West Side High Schools, and the vice principal at Barringer High School.

As a youngster, Hilton was preparing to become a concert violinist.  He loved to practice three or four hours a day.

This changed when Abraham Zweibel, his teacher of advanced Spanish, asked him to teach a lesson.  Immediately after class and for subsequent afternoons, Abe Zweibel convinced Hilton that he had a gift for helping students to learn Spanish.

Just before retiring, Hilton found a violin teacher who was a member of the New York Symphony Orchestra.  He returned to the study of the violin and became a concert level violinist. 

Beloved husband of 65 years to Bina.  Devoted father of John H. Otero, his wife Lisa Barrington, and the late Joan Otero.  Loving grandfather of Andrew and Alexis.  Great-grandfather of Lucas.  Dear brother of Richard James Otero, the late Mildred Rodriquez and the late Ruth Parry.

Visitation at the Leonardis Memorial Home 210 Ridgedale Ave. Florham Park on Friday from 3-6pm.  Funeral on Saturday assembling at the funeral home at 8:45am followed by a mass at St. Rose of Lima Church in East Hanover at 9:45am.  Entombment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

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