Benjamin W. Bartolotta

LIVINGSTON The Honorable Benjamin W. Bartolotta died peacefully surrounded by his loving wife of 68 years, Elizabeth Betty Daly Bartolotta and his family on January 23, 2006 at Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson. Ben, who was born in Livingston on July 1, 1914, was the oldest of 13. He was predeceased by his parents, Antonio and Jessie Bartolotta, sisters, Beulah Delaney and Patty Bartolotta and his brother, Anthony. He is survived by his daughters, Gloria (Frank) Santacroce of Livingston, Mary Lou (Robert) Connolly of Albany and Judith (Robert) Arthur of Palm Springs, Calif.; his brothers, Russell of Hudson, Phillip (Mary) of Hudson, Alfred (Cindy) of Livingston, Robert (Jenny) of Red Hook; and sisters, Antoinette Egan of New York City, Marie (Louis) Conte of Hudson, Jessie (Armand) Conte of Livingston, Loretta (William) Barton of San Antonio, Texas and June Decker of Syracuse; and sister-in-law, Mary (Brown) Bartolotta. He is survived by his precious grandchildren, Henry, Anthony and Christina Arthur of Palm Springs, Andrea (Jose) Tejedor and their children, Leandra and Andrew of Monroe and Krista (David) Lebovitz and Jacob of Van Nuys, Calif. and cherished nieces and nephews and dear friends. Throughout his 91 years, Ben's love was for his family and friends, and his commitment to his community where he served as supervisor for the Town of Livingston in 1950-1953 and again 1976-1981. He was the minority leader of the Columbia County Board of Supervisors and served as County Civil Service Commissioner and Director of Columbia County OTB. He served on the PIC Council for many years. During his political life he hosted receptions at his home for Congressman Joseph Resnick, Congressional Candidates Gore Vidal and John Dyson. He was responsible for starting Hudson Valley Apple Day at the Capital in Washington and brought local farmers to meet with Vice President Hubert Humphrey. Ben's passion grew from his love of the family's 600 acre Klein's Kill Fruit Farm in Livingston. The likes of Gene Sarazen used to stop by for farming tips. He and his brothers and brother-in-law, worked the earth and have provided apples, peaches, pears, nectarines, prunes, pears and his special grapes for families from Europe to South America, as well as throughout the country including the top hotels in Las Vegas today. For close to 60 years, he was one of the largest Christmas Tree dealers in the Northeast. He put trees up at the two World's Fairs in New York City, and for 40 years the tree in front of the New York Stock Exchange. His wreaths, which were made at his home, graced St. Patrick's Cathedral and Harry Winston Jewelers in New York City. His commitment to serving others can be measured by the honors he had received throughout the years. He had been a member of the Germantown Lions Club for 65 years, receiving a Lifetime Membership Award in 1984. He was a major fundraiser and force behind the building of the Livingston Fire House in 1950. He was a charter member of the Livingston Pumper Company #1. He was the first altar boy at the Church of the Nativity in Linlithgo. Lifelong member of the Hudson Elks and Knights of Columbus. For his 80th birthday, Assemblyman Faso and Supervisor Donald Kline and the Germantown Lion's Club honored Ben with a tribute for a lifetime of achievements in Columbia County. For those wishing to celebrate Ben's life, calling hours will be at the Yadack-Fox Funeral Home, 209 Main Street in Germantown on Friday from 2-8 p.m. Members of the Hudson Elks Lodge will conduct services 6:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday from the funeral home and 11:00 at the Church of the Resurrection in Germantown where Rev. Theodore Gerken, Pastor, will celebrate a Mass of the Christian Burial. Interment will follow in the Nativity Church Cemetery of Livingston. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Church of the Resurrection, P.O. Box 96, Germantown, NY 12526 or Germantown Lions Club, Germantown, NY 12526.