Wallace "Tom" Hotz

Wallace “Tom” Hotz, 73, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, April 21, 2018 after a brief illness. He was born on April 8, 1945 in Middleboro, Massachusetts to the late Wallace and Tena (Plocther) Hotz. Tom was raised in Lakeville, Massachusetts, was a graduate of Apponequet Regional High School, and earned his BS degree in Biology and English from Wilmington College in Wilmington, Ohio. He then furthered his education while attending Duke University for Marine Invertebrate Zoology in Beaufort, North Carolina. Tom was also a member of the Coast Guard Reserve.

Tom was employed as a marine biologist by The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries State Lobster Hatchery and Research Station on Martha’s Vineyard and Sandwich, Massachusetts, where he helped develop a marine fisheries management policy. Afterwards he worked in various private industries up and down the east coast developing and maintaining lobster holding systems. He later owned and operated Salt Marsh Frameworks in Salisbury, Massachusetts.

Tom was an avid photographer and enjoyed capturing the beauty of New England. Some of his favorite places to take photographs included Plum Island and Newman Road in Newbury. He was a lifelong Patriots and Red Sox fan and enjoyed his yearly trip to Fenway Park.  Tom was incredibly loyal, kindhearted and generous. He always had time to answer a question or solve a problem no matter how small, and he will be forever missed by all of the lives he touched.

Tom is survived by his wife of 35 years, Mary Jo Lagana of Merrimac, Massachusetts, children, Nathan Anderson of Silver Spring, Maryland, and Ashley Hotz and her fiancé Justin Franke of Mclean, Virginia, sister, Janice MacFarlane (James) of Holden, MA, brother in-laws, Tony Lagana (Judi) of New Hope, Pennsylvania, Bob Lagana (Cristina) of Bellingham, Washington, sister in-law Gloria Bernard of Fort Worth, Texas, as well as several nieces and nephews.   

Family and friends may call from 4:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday April 26, 2018 at the Twomey, LeBlanc, & Conte Funeral Home 193 High St. Newburyport, MA 01950. Parking available behind the Funeral Home. Services and burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Hotz’s name to the Friends of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Inc.

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