Obituary for Robert J. Botash
Irondequoit: Entered into eternal rest at the age of 95 on January 26, 2020. Born May 25, 1924 in Rochester, NY. Predeceased by parents, Victor and Margaret Botash; loving wife of 61 years, Mary (Laudisi) Botash; daughter, Janine Botash; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Giovanni and Adelina Laudisi. Left to cherish his memory are son and daughter-in-law, Drs. Robert and Ann Botash; daughters, Carole Botash, Lisa (Michael) Ellison; grandchildren, Melissa (Marcin) Ciolek, Matthew Gambino, Katherine (Joseph) St. Cyr, Dr. Christopher Botash, Rachel Ellison, Nicole Ellison, Brittany Ellison; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Eleanor and Gaetano Siconolfi; niece, Leslie Siconolfi.
Bob was drafted into the army during WWII while attending his first year at the University of Buffalo. He joined the 9th infantry division where he saw combat in Europe before being captured in the Battle of the Hürtgen Forest. He was a prisoner of war in Nazi Germany for 7 months before being liberated in 1945. From there he returned home to complete his degree in Business Administration. He met and married the love of his life, Mary Laudisi. With her encouragement, Bob pursued a career in education. He went on to complete his Master of Education degree from the University of Rochester. He taught history in the Churchville-Chili School district and subsequently was chosen to become the principal of the Junior High School; a position he held for many years.
He retired in 1985 and was very active in the Combat Infantry and American Ex-POW groups. Bob eventually served as the Commander of the American Ex-POW group. He was also an usher at St. Margaret Mary Church for over 20 years. Bob was a consummate gentleman whose family was the center of his life. He had a wonderful sense of humor. He always had a smile on his face which made others enjoy being around him. As an extremely patriotic person, he was a true example of what made the “Greatest Generation” so great! Bob will be missed by all who knew him!
Family and friends are welcome Friday, January 31st from 3-5 and 7-9pm at the Dreier-Giltner Funeral Home, 1717 Portland Ave. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday 9:30am at St. Kateri Parish at St. Margaret Mary Church. Interment with full military honors will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation: donate.garysinisefoundation.org, designate donation to the Soaring Valor program or to Honor Flight Rochester: honorflightrochester.org To send the family a condolence or leave a message please visit www.giltnerfuneralhomes.com
Bob was drafted into the army during WWII while attending his first year at the University of Buffalo. He joined the 9th infantry division where he saw combat in Europe before being captured in the Battle of the Hürtgen Forest. He was a prisoner of war in Nazi Germany for 7 months before being liberated in 1945. From there he returned home to complete his degree in Business Administration. He met and married the love of his life, Mary Laudisi. With her encouragement, Bob pursued a career in education. He went on to complete his Master of Education degree from the University of Rochester. He taught history in the Churchville-Chili School district and subsequently was chosen to become the principal of the Junior High School; a position he held for many years.
He retired in 1985 and was very active in the Combat Infantry and American Ex-POW groups. Bob eventually served as the Commander of the American Ex-POW group. He was also an usher at St. Margaret Mary Church for over 20 years. Bob was a consummate gentleman whose family was the center of his life. He had a wonderful sense of humor. He always had a smile on his face which made others enjoy being around him. As an extremely patriotic person, he was a true example of what made the “Greatest Generation” so great! Bob will be missed by all who knew him!
Family and friends are welcome Friday, January 31st from 3-5 and 7-9pm at the Dreier-Giltner Funeral Home, 1717 Portland Ave. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday 9:30am at St. Kateri Parish at St. Margaret Mary Church. Interment with full military honors will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation: donate.garysinisefoundation.org, designate donation to the Soaring Valor program or to Honor Flight Rochester: honorflightrochester.org To send the family a condolence or leave a message please visit www.giltnerfuneralhomes.com