Bottjer services set for Saturday, March 8
John Robert Bottjer, 47, lost his nine-month battle with a rare form of cancer Thursday afternoon, Feb. 28. “Big John,” as the maintenance supervisor of the Boca Bay Pass Club was known throughout the island, died at his home of complications from subcutaneous melanoma. He recently underwent surgery to remove tumors from his brain.
He was born on November 29, 1960 in Manhattan. He moved to Port Charlotte with his wife and son in 1997 from Rockville, Md. and was the maintenance supervisor for the Boca Bay Pass Club for the past 11 years.
He was the head judge for a number of Boca Grande area tarpon tournaments, including the Boca Grande Fishing Guides Association tournament, the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce Ladies Day Tournament and he co-ordinated the Boca Bay Pass Club tournaments.
Survivors include his wife of fourteen years: Cheryl L. (VanCott) Bottjer of Port Charlotte: their son; Jarrett Bottjer of Port Charlotte: father; Robert Bottjer of Rotonda West and sister; Linda J. Bottjer of Rotonda West. He is also survived by his Uncle Roy and Aunt Carolyn Bottjer of Orefield, Pa. and their sons and families.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 8 at 1:30 PM at the Boca Grande (Lighthouse) United Methodist Church with the Rev. Brian Brightly officiating.
A spaghetti dinner benefit will be held on Sunday, March 9 at the Crowninshield Community House in Boca Grande from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Donation is $10 per person. Contributions may be made to the Walter Meanwell/Terry G. Bissett (trustees), New John Bottjer Fund (Wachovia Bank), PO Box 1377, Boca Grande FL 33921. The last four digits of the account are 4404.
Englewood Community Funeral Home and Cremation Service has been selected to handle arrangements.
February 29, 2008 at 12:35 pm
goodbye john, …..you will be truly missed…….my heart goes out to your family
February 29, 2008 at 1:54 pm
How do you say goodbye to someone that will always be such a presence? We will miss your wonderful smile and your “Big Heart”… My heart goes out to Cheryl and Jarrett. Angels’ Peace to you!
February 29, 2008 at 2:25 pm
john used to say to me…”come hither”………now god has asked john to come hither…iam blessed to have known you.
February 29, 2008 at 2:48 pm
you’re in the arms of the angels
February 29, 2008 at 8:43 pm
From the very first moment that you smiled at me I knew we’d be friends always. You touched my heart deeply and I will keep you in my thoughts forever. I love you John.
March 1, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Only the good die young and John was one of the best of the best. We will all miss you forever. If there’s a heaven I hope you’re having a scotch right now!
March 2, 2008 at 11:48 am
I knew John almost 20 years ago. I am deeply saddend by his passing and deeply greatful that I was able to know him and call him a friend. I love you, Andrea.
March 2, 2008 at 10:47 pm
John was a great man; always a gentleman with manners and a pleasure to be around. My family and I in Arizona, lost touch with John several years ago, but thought of him often and remember the great times with him - no one could grill a steak better! And he taught me the easiest way to scrub a sink and to enjoy a good scotch. Go with God, John and watch over all of us.
March 2, 2008 at 11:28 pm
For me as a kid growing up in Fountain Hills, John was bigger than life. He helped me to understand how important it is to do the right thing.
In the late eighties, he and I went to the river for a few beers. After an hour or two as we were leaving, we happened upon a fire truck driving in front of us on the dirt road just as the driver threw a lit flare into some desert brush. We couldn’t believe our eyes! A fireman starting a fire? Luckily, we had a shovel with us. Of course John was prepared as always.
Between the 2 of us we barely got the fire out. Then the chase was on to the 2 man fire station to confront the culprit. He apparently didn’t see us right behind him when he started the fire, so he was surprised that we showed up so quickly. The fire boys had some lady friends over and were going to impress them with their firefighting capabilities. John got right in this guys face and told him exactly what we saw even though the fireman denied everything. I was half hoping John would’ve decked the guy. The fireman was going to try and blame us for starting it. As a teen, I was scared. I was so glad to get away from there. What does John do?
He drives straight to the battalion chiefs station and explains everything to the chief who does not believe a word we say. John demands a lie detector test which we got the next day. The fireman was relieved of his duty.
Though I have only heard of his whereabouts sporadically over the last 20 years, he will always be in my memory. He helped shape my life when I needed it most. Heaven stole another good one from us. Rest in peace Big John.
March 3, 2008 at 11:25 am
My brother and sister said it all. Tho we’ve not been in touch for years, I think of John fondly. Esp. when pouring myself a scotch. He was a gentle soul who knew a lot about right from wrong and taught me some kindnesses. Thanks for the memories, here’s to you John.
March 3, 2008 at 9:59 pm
I only had the pleasure of John’s company twice: once at Bruno’s Annual Family pig roast in July of 2006 and once here in Maine when he and Cheryl spent a night at my house. We had a blast dancing to the Boca Bande at Baldy’s place on a beautiful hot summer night in Maine.
He was a gentleman and supplied me with ice for my cocktail. I enjoyed his and Cheryl’s visit here in October of 2006. My heart goes out to Cheryl and Jarrett at this difficult time, but I’m glad John didn’t have to suffer any longer than he did with such an awful disease.
March 3, 2008 at 10:36 pm
John was the first person who made my life at the Pass Club real. He knew I wanted to fish and “hooked” me up with Midge and then Becky…our first Pass Club Fishing Tournament.
This led to our association with Charlie Coleman, and then “Charlie’s Angels”. John facilitated a wonderful fishing experience for us “girls”. From that first tournament I met his wife Cheryl who has become my friend. From that friendship came my love for her son, Jarrett. Jarrett and I went Tarpon fishing together and we both lost our “virginity” in terms of our first Tarpon.
Later I fished with John and Cheryl and watched Cheryl bring in an awesome Tarpon. John was on the boat that day, after radiation treatment, doing his best to enjoy the day. Everyday that John was alive, after his diagnosis, he lived each day to the fullest.
He worked at the Pass Club up until one week before he died. How hard it must have been for him not to go to work that day. What an amazing work ethic he had. How much he wanted to be there for Cheryl and Jarrett. John, Cheryl, Jarrett, you are still a family in my mind and heart.
March 4, 2008 at 12:49 pm
John was a wonderful friend and I’ll never forget him. Will always love him. My heart goes to Cheryl and Jarrett.
March 4, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Cheryl, I am very sorry for your loss— have blessed day.
Pam
March 4, 2008 at 9:39 pm
I went to high school with “Botch” as I knew him and have lost touch over the years. I can see that he didn’t change much and will be missed tremendously by all that knew him. What a huge loss, my sympathies to his family.
March 5, 2008 at 10:35 am
He will be missed, his smile, witt and compasion made this man very unique. This is a tremendous lost to our community. It was a honor to be called his friend. Sympathy to his wife Cherly and son Jarrett
March 5, 2008 at 10:46 am
John, Cheryl and Jarrett, you all will be in our prayers. God bless you from Ed and Sam.
March 5, 2008 at 10:57 am
My family is so sad to hear about John. My husband and I saw him two weeks ago and we feel so lucky that we had a chance to see him once again. He was a very brave man with a big heart. He loved family ,work and life and fought hard to the end. We will truly miss John..God Bless
March 5, 2008 at 12:36 pm
I went to High School (Clinton NY) with John (Botch) his nickname in High School, he was a great guy, haven’t seen him since 1979, after seeing his picture, he looked just like he did in High School, my sympathies go out to his family, I’m very sorry for your loss. God Bless
March 6, 2008 at 8:16 pm
John was my favorite friend on Boca Grande (besides his brilliant wife Cheryl and beautiful son Jarrett) during my 2 year residency in SW Florida. We have so many fond memories of our time together. John was a wonderful story teller sharing his adventures throughout his life. Can still see his glowing face and robust laugh that will forever be cherished. He taught us both so much about life to include the fine art of fishing, even if I accidently hooked Jarrett’s sweatshirt hood on the very first attempt and without missing a beat Bottjer said “Stay away from my son”! His quick wit and dry humor, work ethic and friendship will forever be remembered as one of God’s greatest! We love you big guy!
March 6, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Godspeed
March 7, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Big John
The day John passed away there was a sunset whose afterglow embraced the breadth of the horizon in colors that were warm and seem to say that “John is with Us now, he is safe and his travail is over.”
Big John had boundless empathy for others. He was keenly aware of the anxieties, frailties and limitations of those around him and was always there with a strong back and a helping hand in a spirit that begged no recompense. He never lost sight of the humbling reality of his own humanity. From humility he drew strength and resolve for his family and friends.
Berefit of worldy trappings, sartorial accouterments were not his hallmark. To quote Rostand, “ I do not dress up like a popinjay, I wear my adornments on my soul.” Certainly, that was John Bottjer.
The last few months were not punctuated by self pity but an almost stoic acceptance of his fate. If there was ever a man prepared for and unafraid of death, it was John. If ever I knew a man who I am convinced is in Heaven, it is John.
His ordeal is now over and the broad shoulders and mild manner that were John Bottjer are gone. We will miss our friend, Big John.
March 11, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Cheryl,
I am so sorry for your loss. I have waited a few days to get my thoughts together as I know where your at right now. I cannot say anything that will help you right now but I can tell you things will get better. The process of grieving is long and hard and your loss is real and devastating. Know that I think of you and will be available to listen should you ever need to talk. May God bless you and your family.
March 22, 2008 at 12:05 am
we miss you so very much, peace and love to all friends and family.