Edward M. Mottau

Edward M. Mottau, 55, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2024.  A resident of Manchester NH, Ed was an artist and general contractor living and working in the Monadnock Region. He was a musician, builder, sculptor, and painter.

After graduating from Pine Hill Waldorf School, and Wilton High school, Ed moved to Los Angeles in 1989 with his band Cairo Stand, a progressive rock ensemble signed with Capitol Records.  The band toured throughout the United States and enjoyed success as a west coast band. Known for his versatility, Ed became a sought-after studio drummer, settling in Boston, MA.  He continued to tour and record with several bands, most recently playing on Noel Paul Stookey’s FAZ, Now and Then, and Facets albums, Mottau Drew and Clark’s Revelation Revolution and Dance for Life albums, and Wendy Keith’s Conversations album.

Ed was a sculptor creating abstract wood compositions with form and gesture rooted in nature. His music and art have been performed and exhibited in Dublin Ireland, London England, Los Angeles, New York City, New Orleans, Washington DC, Boston, Portland Maine, and Peterborough NH.

His childhood passion for construction, a legacy from his dad, led him to build a successful contracting company. His ability to see the big picture and problem solve, whether optimizing space design or engineering structural solutions, was unique.  In the mid-eighties Ed extended the company’s reach focusing on historic restorations in Boston’s Back Bay and Beacon Hill, building luxury lofts and recording studios on the waterfront. Ed built a series of rehearsal and recording spaces in Boston called Jam Spot, which later became a franchise in cities throughout the U.S.

Ed was a master craftsman.  He moved back to the Monadnock area and expanded his business, building custom homes and renovations throughout New England and New York State.

As an active member in the New Hampshire recovery community, Ed volunteered his time at Granite House Recovery Center and The Hope Center, leading a clothing drive for the sober living community in the Manchester area.

Edward Michael Mottau was born Oct. 5, 1968, he was known for his vast creativity, his razor-sharp sense of humor, his wisdom, deep compassion, and kindness to others. He was of service to people in his community and was deeply loved by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed by his beloved family and friends.

He is survived by his father Edward S Mottau of Peterborough, NH, his sister Christine Mottau of New York City, his brother-in-law, Michael Block of New York City, his aunt, Victoria Turpin of Bridgewater, MA, his uncle, Michael Ryan of Peterborough, NH, his aunt and uncle Mabel and Robert Mottau of Avon, MA, and his aunt and uncle Marylou and George Fitzsimmons of St. Louis, MO, as well as sixteen cousins.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held on Sat. April 6 at 2:00 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 25 Main St. in Peterborough, NH 03458.

In lieu of flowers a charitable donation can be made in memory of Edward M. Mottau to The Hope Recovery Center, 293 Wilson Street suite #101, Manchester NH 03103 or https://recoverynh.org