Obituary of Otto R. Canis

Otto R. Canis of Freedom Pointe passed away on Sunday, July 26th, 2020 at Cornerstone Hospice in The Villages.  Born July 1, 1949 at Ft. Benning, Georgia, Otto was the son of the late Reverend Robert Paul Canis and Evelyn Smith.  He is survived by his wife, Nancy (Vukin) Canis, a teacher whom he married on July 9, 1977.

Otto graduated from Ohio Northern University with a degree in Pharmacy and accepted a position in Pharmaceutical Research at Parke Davis (now Pfizer) in Detroit, Michigan.  Upon retiring, Otto and Nancy relocated to Orlando, Florida.  As a child, Otto met Walt Disney at Disneyland in California.  He always wanted to work for Disney and got the chance.  He loved his part-time job at Epcot.

Later, he and Nancy moved to the Villages.  Otto enjoyed appearing in several plays, such as "Gypsy."  Otto also loved music and sang in several groups both as a soloist and in various family and community performances.  The couple also loved to travel and during their retirement, traveled a great deal both internationally and within the United States.

In addition to his wife, Nancy, Otto is survived by a brother, Robley John Canis and sister Margaret Canis Sopkovich; nieces, Ruth Anderson and Anne Saad, and nephews, Rob and Nicholas Canis, as well as a number of great nieces and nephews.

Arrangements entrusted to Heirs-Baxley Funeral Services in Belleview, Florida.  Condolences may be left at www.hiers-baxley.com.