Peter DeBottis

SENECA FALL < Peter DeBottis, 83, of Garden Street, Seneca Falls, died Friday, Oct. 31, 2008, at Geneva General Hospital, Geneva, Pete was born on Sept. 8, 1925, in Port Byron, the son of the late Anthony and Rose VanAcora DeBottis. He has resided in Seneca Falls since 1953. He was a World War II US Navy veteran who received his basic training at the Sampson Naval Base and served on the USS LSM 311 Landing Ship in the South Pacific with the 7th Fleet Amphibious Group. He earned six battle stars and several campaign ribbons, attaining the rank of Boatswain"s Mate 2nd Class. He was a graduate of SUNY at Brockport where he received his bachelor of arts in education. He did graduate work at Syracuse University and received his degree in secondary administration. Pete was retired from Seneca Falls Central Schools where he taught in the math and remedial programs. He was a former principal for both Seneca Falls Junior and Senior High Schools. In addition, he initiated the wrestling program for Seneca Falls Central Schools and coached for many years. He was a supporter of many other sports programs at school and in the community. He was an avid golfer and a former Seneca Falls Town Councilman. He is survived by his wife, Betty Nuffer DeBottis of Seneca Falls, whom he married on May 29, 1948; four daughters, Karen (Dan) Heslink, of Lancaster, Pa., Kathy (Bob) Erb, of Clyde, Mary DeBottis, of Pasadena, Md., Betsy DeBottis, of Leesburg, Va.; two sons, Steven (Deanna) DeBottis, of Geneva, John (Lee Ann) DeBottis, of High Point, North Carolina.; nine grandchildren, Melanie (Jose Luis) Sanchez, Elisha (Ed) Barone, Nicole DeBottis, Kari (Dave) DiBernardo, Briana (Dave) Gregory, Jaime and Josh DeBottis, Charlotte and Russell Walker; three great-grandchildren, Lorelai Sanchez, Bianca and Karmine DiBernardo; five sisters. Mary Giuffrida, Tampa, Fla., Philly Saum, Bradenton, Fla., Josie (Joe) Christiano, Waterloo, Angie (Harold) Keenly, Port Byron, Helen (Mike) Riccio, Auburn; two brothers, Lewis (Mud) DeBottis, Auburn, Anthony (Norma) DeBottis, Jamesville; several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by one sister, Rosemarie Halstead Family and friends may call 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3 at the Doran Funeral Home Inc., 4 E. Bayard St., Seneca Falls. Seneca Falls Honor Guard will conduct military honors at 6 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4 at the funeral home and 10 a.m. at St. Patrick"s Church, Seneca Falls where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated by the Rev. James Fennessy, pastor. Burial will be in St. Columbkille Cemetery, Seneca Falls. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Peter DeBottis Wrestling Scholarship Fund, c/o Seneca Falls Central School District, 98 Clinton St., Seneca Falls, NY 13148. To send a message to the family, sign our guest book at www.auburnpub.com and click on obituaries.