Richard C. Botto, formerly of Southampton and North Haven, died on May 27. He was 80 and had resided at the Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook.
After two strokes in 2010, Mr. Botto’s health declined but landed him a warm and comfortable existence, where all of the caregivers, nurses and staff showed their love and respect for him each and every day, survivors said.
Born in Syosset, he lived in Hicksville, Hauppauge, Southampton and North Haven, before moving to Florida in the mid 1990s.
After serving four years in the U.S. Navy as an E-Class on the USS Salem, during the Korean War, he began Botto Bros. Plumbing & Heating in Hicksville and started a family with his high school sweetheart, Mary Clinco. He retired as president of Botto Bros. in 1995, leaving the business in the capable hands of his two sons.
He was very involved in his community and proudly served as president of the Hicksville Kiwanis Club. As an avid sportsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, flying and boating in his favorite boat, Beach Baron. In his retirement, he took up golf and ran the men’s group at Lost Lake in Hobe Sound, Florida. He moved to Stuart, Florida, in 2009, residing with his significant partner, Lynne Calderwood, in the Stuart Yacht & Country Club, where he helped to restore a home that needed TLC.
Mr. Botto is survived by his daughter, Rosane Cassella-Wilson and husband Brian; two sons, Hunter Botto and wife Maryann, and Roger Botto and wife Jill; and six grandchildren, Paul, Matthew and Mark Cassella, and Christopher, Douglas and Maryanna Botto. His first great-grandchild is expected in September.
A memorial service was held on May 30 at Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton.
on Jun 2, 2014