Island says goodbye to an old friend

It’s hard to say good-bye to an old friend, but that is what hundreds of islanders did this weekend as memorial services and a fund-raiser for “Big John” Bottjer, at right, were held. More than $28,000 for John’s family was raised.

It wasn’t a totally solemn occasion in either event, as many funny stories were shared and good times reviewed that included Big John. For a man who did everything he could for everyone and always kept a smile on his face while doing it, many thought it was a fitting tribute.

The memorial service was held at the Boca Grande United Methodist Church on Saturday, and the church was overflowing with friends of the family.

“The church was packed, and the most moving part was when Pastor Brightly asked all the island teenagers to come up to the front and lay their hands on Jarrett (Big John’s son),” said one friend who attended. “They played a hymn during this, but you could hear the kids sobbing. That got to a lot of us. It was nice to see the community come together when one of ours needs it.”

Lynda Lancaster, a good friend of Big John’s, said that the memorial was a very fitting tribute.

“The church was full … every pew in the church was full, they even had additional chairs in the aisles,” she said. “It was a beautiful sermon. His son, Jarrett, talked about some of his favorite moments with his father, he was so comfortable speaking in front of that crowd. He was poised and composed, I was so proud.”

Lancaster, who was also one of the coordinators for Sunday’s fund-raiser, said that when they originally started planning the event Bottjer was unsure how to feel about it.

“John was very uncomfortable about having this benefit for himself,” she said. “Just before he died he said how uncomfortable it was for him, and that he was usually the one putting the benefit on and setting up tables. He actually asked if he should help. We told him no, just go home, rest and get better. He wanted to help, but couldn’t.”

Sunday evening the Crowninshield Community House held 540 people who came to enjoy the spaghetti supper and participate in an auction of donated items that included fishing guide trips, restaurant packages, artwork and more.

Terry Bisset, the general manager of the Boca Bay Pass Club and friend of Bottjer’s, said that he was thrilled with the outpouring of affection and generosity from the community.

“I think it was a wonderful evening,” he said. “Everyone came out in full force, and we had wonderful donations for the silent auction. It was a total success, and it was wonderful to see John’s friends rally and put this thing together.”

Bisset said that there are many people that he and Walter Meanwell, another friend of Bottjer’s, wanted to thank individually.

“We’ll go into detail at a later date,” he said. “We’ve been so busy with everything going on, but we wanted everyone to know we’re still working on it.”

Brian Jaeggi, another friend of Big John’s who helped to coordinate the event, said it was a little overwhelming to have such a response from the community.

“It was absolutely fantastic,” said Jaeggi. “It went very well, and we had a great turnout. The results seemed pretty good. My head is still spinning from this whole thing. There were a lot of talented people that put in a tremendous effort to put it all together.”

The spaghetti supper alone brought in $5,400 for the family. Those who attended also donated more than $6,700 in additional support, and with the silent auction items the total amount of money raised by the event was more than $28,000.

“There was laughter and grieving on Saturday, but on Sunday it was truly a celebration,” Lancaster said. “I felt we were all there to celebrate the big guy with his big heart. John always had some of the funniest jokes I ever heard. He had a repertoire of characters he would imitate and do, and could make you laugh at the drop of a hat. He would just take a tense situation and immediately lighten things up with some crazy impersonation of a personality he had created in his mind and make you laugh.”

Bottjer died on Thursday, Feb. 28 after suffering from subcutaneous melanoma for seven months. He had undergone brain surgery and was in his second round of chemotherapy when he died at home.

He worked for the Boca Bay Pass Club as the maintenance supervisor for many years. He was very well-known throughout the community for his big truck, big laugh and big heart.

Those who wish to contribute to the fund for Bottjer’s family can send donations to Walter Meanwell/Terry G. Bisset (trustees), New John Bottjer Fund, PO Box 1377, Boca Grande FL 33921. Donations can also be dropped off at any Wachovia branch under that account name.

“It was such a tribute to John, and the outpouring from the community was outstanding,” Lancaster said. “It made me so proud to be part of the community, that responded to this need. It made me very proud to be John’s friend.”