Otis F. Corthell

Otis F. Corthell, 82, of Manchester, died November 1, 2008 at his home after a year long battle with Mesothelioma; cancer of the lung, caused by the asbestos he was exposed to while serving his country as a Merchant Marine on Liberty and Victory Ships during WWII. He was born in South Weymouth, Mass. on Jan. 2, 1926 to Otis F. Corthell Sr. and Ellen Muirhead Corthell.

Otis married his soul mate, his "Sweetie", Theresa (Terri) Landry Plumpton on Oct. 3, 1965 and brought up her seven children as his own.

He worked at JF McElwain for 32 years first as a belt boy, second as an assistant stitching room machinist trainee and lastly as a stitching machinery supervisor. He serviced all of JF McElwain's factories including the starting up of factories in So. Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Puerto Rico.

Otis was probably best known as owner and proprietor of 7th Heaven which he opened adjacent to his home at 512 Mammoth Road on the 7th tee of the Derryfield Golf Course. He ran the concession stand with the help of his wife, children and grandchildren until his cancer prohibited him from doing so. This year marked his 43rd year of opening 7th Heaven.

Otis would also be well known throughout the city for the sewing machine repair services he offered as Reliable Sewing Machine Service, a hobby of his since retiring from JF McElwain in 1981. He also had to give this up, just this year because of his illness.

Otis was predeceased by a grandson, Joshua L. Nichols in 1979, a son, David F. Plumpton in 1993, a brother, Richard S. Corthell in 1994, a granddaughter, Heather B. Fletcher in 1997, and his beloved wife of 39 years, Terri L. Corthell in 2004.

His family includes his daughters from his first marriage, Susan Corthell Bucknam, Cynthia Corthell Magill, and Linda Corthell Sovik, a sister, Judy Roquet and her husband, John. His family also includes the seven children he brought up as his own; his predeceased son, David F. Plumpton and his surviving wife, Priscilla, Donald Plumpton and his wife Donna, Debbie Plumpton Nichols and her husband Dave, Dennis Plumpton and his wife Maria, Diana Plumpton Fletcher and her husband Don, Darlene Plumpton Huot, and Drew Plumpton and his wife Jeannette. 16 Grandchildren; David P. Plumpton, Kristyn Plumpton McShane, Matthew, Jonathan, and Timothy Plumpton, Lindsay Plumpton Levesque, Jessica Nichols, Terry Lynn Myers, Bethany and Vicky Plumpton, Jennifer Fletcher Richardson, Michael Huot and Christopher Otis Huot, Katie, Meghan and Jennifer Plumpton. 8 Great grandchildren; Brandon and Jocelyn Plumpton, Ryan and Rachel Plumpton, Heather, Adam and Caleb Richardson, and Noah Plumpton. A companion, Marilynn Murray, to whom we are very grateful for taking such good care of him.

Otis, Dad, Pa will be sadly missed by all who loved and knew him.

Burial was private and at the convenience of the family.

Memorial donations may be made to the Visiting Nurse Association, 33 So. Commercial St., Manchester, NH 03101