TRAVERSE CITY — Otto Egon Masick, 98, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010, at Boardman Lake Glens. Otto was born in Krasnodar, Russia, on Aug. 29, 1912, to the late Charles and Helen (Schroeder) Masick. After Otto's first eight years of life, he amazingly escaped, along with his parents, communist Russia to Riga Latvia. Another eight years later he immigrated to New York City. In the early '40s Otto met his "greatest Christmas gift," Ernestine Estelle Hawley, and the two married on Feb. 10, 1945. During their lives together Otto honorably served in the U.S. Army in World War II.After the war he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering at New York University. His career began at Post Cereal in Battle Creek. He and Ernestine lived there happily and retired to Traverse City in 1992. Otto was actively involved within his community and faith by serving as Deacon and an elder at the Westlake Presbyterian Church in Battle Creek and later joined Traverse City's Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Arts Society in both communities and was a member of the Professional Engineering Society. Otto brought beauty and warmth into the world through his gardening, painting and sharing of stories with family and friends. Surviving Otto are his wife, Ernestine; daughter, Carolyn (Dale) Wright; son, Phillip (Diane) Masick; grandchildren, Michelle (Tim) Laramore, Megan Wright, Andie (Matt) Beaver and Jessica Masick; and great-grandson, Colin Laramore. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. today, Dec. 31, 2010, at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, with a visitation held one hour prior. Burial will take place at 1 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery in Battle Creek on Monday Jan. 3, 2010. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society or Munson Hospice. Please sign Otto's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .