Obituary of Joseph Bottaro

Home: Liberty, New York USA Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York USA Liberty, NY Joseph "Poppy Joe" Bottaro passed away on Friday January 18, 2013 at Williamsport Regional Medical Center in Williamsport, PA after a brave battle with a brief illness. He was 82. The son of Constantino and Catherine Giustra Bottaro, he was born on Oct. 10, 1930 in Brooklyn, NY. There are no words powerful enough to impart the heart and strength of this wonderful man. An emptiness will exist in many hearts for a very long time. He lived his life simply and well. There are good men and Joe Bottaro was one of the best. He was loyal to his friends and was committed to his family. He was a very proud man. His works of carpentry can be seen in private homes and local businesses in the Liberty area. For years he delighted in setting up the ice skating rink for kids in Liberty and he spent over 29 years working for the Village of Liberty Street Dept. The only thing Poppy loved more than his family was fishing. With his familiar fishing hat, he found the best spots in the county and found joy in the sport. He loved old music, listening on his reel to reel, collecting coins and making models from wood. Poppy had a kind heart under his gruff exterior. Many of us knew his kindness first hand. Poppy Joe leaves behind to remember him always, his wife, Dorothy Bottaro of Liberty; his sons, John Bottaro and his wife Raquel of Monticello, Paul Bottaro and his wife Christine of Liberty and Bruce Desmond and his wife Dorothy of Highland, NY and his brother, Paul Russo of Florida. He loved his grandchildren and leaves them behind with the heaviest of hearts: Ryann LaGattuta and her husband Luis of Woodbourne, Anthony Bottaro and his partner Scott of Myrtle Beach, SC, Dominic Bottaro of SC, Dion and Zoraida Bottaro of Monticello, Leslie, Jake and Kevin of Highland, Cheryl and Matthew of Liberty. Poppy also leaves his great-grandchildren; Jordan Reichenbaugh and Madison Kaufman of Woodbourne and Isabella Bottaro-Hamilton of Myrtle Beach, SC. Poppy joins those who went before him, in God's light; his parents, Constantino and Kaye; infant son, Antonio; his Aunt Mary and Uncle Joe Ficara and his dearest friend, Ross Watson. May our beloved Poppy Joe rest in God's very arms, his brightest light, his warmest love. He was a good, good man and we will miss him always. Friends may call on Tuesday, January 22 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Ramsay's Funeral Home, 275 S. Main St. Liberty, NY. Funeral services will be at Ramsay's Funeral Home in Wednesday, January 23 at 10 AM. Monsignor Edward Straub will officiate. Burial will follow the services at Liberty Cemetery, Cold Spring Rd. Liberty, NY Funeral arrangements are by Ramsay's Funeral Homes Inc. For directions or to send an online condolence, please visit www.ramsaysfuneralhome.com.