James A. Botti of Boothbay Harbor died peacefully at home on Aug. 3, 2022 with family at his side.

Born in Middletown, New York in 1945 to Charles and Ellen Botti, Jim was a devoted husband and father who left his imprint on everyone he met along the way.

Jim loved his family, friends, dogs, the New York Yankees, ice cream, and a good Manhattan on the rocks. Jim graduated from Middletown High School in 1963, and then went on to Albany Business College. He transferred to Husson College in Bangor and graduated with a BS degree in marketing.

Jim met the love of his life, Geraldine, at a CYO dance when he was 14 years old and that was it. They were married Aug. 12, 1967 and a beautiful life began. Their son Matthew was born in 1971, and Katherine arrived 17 months later. Six years after that, Erin arrived to complete their family.

Jim was born into a newspaper family and delivered papers from the time he was a small boy. His first job after college was with the Times Herald Record where he quickly moved up the ranks to circulation director, and eventually facilities director. He served as president of the NY State Circulation Management Association for two terms. He tried to retire, but the Record called him back and he continued as a consultant. After 28 years, nine months, and 12 days, he hung up his newspaper bag for good. While he loved the newspaper business, Jim and Geraldine always dreamed of moving back to Maine. In 2000, they bought the Kenniston Hill Inn in Boothbay, and a second career began as an innkeeper.

Jim was very active in his community and in his church. He was a volunteer with the McQuoid Fire Company and belonged to the Elks Club in Middletown. He joined the Rotary when he moved to Boothbay, serving one term as president, and was a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award. He and Geraldine delivered Meals on Wheels weekly for 10 years, and he was the official dishwasher at Warm Space at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, as well as serving as an usher. You may also remember seeing him at the Boothbay Railway Village where he fulfilled his lifelong love of trains by becoming the ticket-agent.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Geraldine of Boothbay Harbor; son Matthew Botti and his wife Meredith Jacques of Hood River, Oregon; daughter Katherine Myles and her husband Ross Myles of Gorham; and daughter Erin Botti of Middletown, New York; grandchildren Cameron and Alexandra Myles of Gorham and Dax and Hugo Botti of Hood River, Oregon;. brothers and sisters-in-law Charles and Jeanette Botti, Peter and Margaret Botti, John and Deb Botti, and sister Mary Ellen Botti.

Funeral services will be held at Hall’s Funeral Home in Boothbay. Viewing hours will take place from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 10. A funeral mass will take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 11 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Boothbay Harbor.

Special thanks to Beacon Hospice, Spectrum Generations, Boothbay Region Ambulance Service, and all the wonderful care givers who have supported us in comforting Jim.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and to Beacon Hospice.

Hall’s of Boothbay has care of the arrangements. To extend online condolences, please visit www.hallfuneralhomes.com