J. Otis MacMillin of Medway died at 5:00 PM on Monday, October 16, 2006, on his 95th birthday. He was the husband of the late Barbara Willard (Trott) MacMillin of Needham Heights, who died in October of 1996. Mr. MacMillin had been a resident of Needham from 1940 until 2001. He was a member of the Congregational Church of Needham (The United Church of Christ) where he had served as a deacon and on many committees. He had been active in the Boy Scouts, Little League, and several charitable organizations.
Mr. MacMillin became office manager of the Boston sales office of the Brockway Glass Company in 1964. He retired in 1975.
Born in Arlington on October 16, 1911, Mr. MacMillin was educated in the Arlington public schools and was a 1931 graduate of Arlington High School. He attended the Browne and Nichols School and was graduated from the Boston University college of business administration in 1935 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree, where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.
Mr. MacMillin was one of the founders of an alumni association of the Boston University chapter of his fraternity in 1948 and was treasurer and a director of the Alpha Zeta Alumni Association until 1985, at which time he resigned as treasurer after serving for thirty-seven years. He continued as a director until the time of his death. In 1968, Mr. MacMillin was awarded the Order of Merit in Dallas, which is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an alumnus of his national fraternity. He also received an Outstanding Alumnus award in 1975 from the Alpha Zeta Alumni Association.
The son of the late Charles M. and Adelaide (Otis) MacMillin, he was a descendant of Edmund Freeman, one of the founders of the town of Sandwich in 1637, and of John Otis who settled Hingham in 1631. He was a collateral descendant of James Otis, the revolutionary patriot, and for whom he was named.
Mr. MacMillin leaves a daughter, Mrs. Alan R. (Elizabeth) Works of Millis; a son, Charles W. MacMillin of Dennis; and five grandchildren: Peter A. Works of Millis; Bruce A. Works of Atlanta, GA; Mrs. Michael N. Rice (Dyann E. Works) of Millis; Mrs. Michael G. (Robyn E. Works) Kosinski of Westfield; and Craig Otis MacMillin of Woonsocket, RI. He also leaves ten great grandchildren; Elisa and Anna Kosinski of Westfield; James, John, and Julia Works of Millis; Erin and Kyra Rice of Millis; Ian Works of Atlanta, GA; and James and Maya MacMillin of Charlottesville, VA.
A memorial service will be held at the Congregational Church of Needham, 1154 Great Plain Avenue, Needham on Sat Nov 4 at 10 AM. A private interment will be held at the Woodside Cemetery, Yarmouth Port, Cape Cod.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in his name may be made to the Organ Fund of the Congregational Church of Needham.
Arrangements by Eaton Funeral Home, Needham.