Francis J. 'Frank' Bottari

Waltham – Mr. Francis J. 'Frank' Bottari, of Waltham, died peacefully Thursday, January 21, 2016 in Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston with his family by his side. He was 89.

Born on April 1, 1926 he was the son of Italian immigrants Giuseppe and Giuseppa (Foti) Bottari and was raised in Boston's North End neighborhood. He graduated from Boston Trade High School in 1944. Frank honorably served his country during World War II in the United States Army. He earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Suffolk University in 1950 and his master's degree in education from Tufts University in 1951. He was a licensed psychologist in Massachusetts. He married Josephine S. Lentini in St. Margaret's Church in Dorchester on June 25, 1955 and they made Waltham their home in the Warrendale neighborhood for the last 50 years.

Frank had a long, distinguished career as an educator. He taught at Wayland Junior High School for over 30 years, as a history teacher, guidance counselor and school psychologist. In 1984, he retired from Wayland for a short time before returning back to working with students as a school psychologist and guidance counselor at Christopher Columbus High School in his native North End neighborhood of Boston. He also worked with students at Boston's North Bennett Street Industrial School and was camp director for its Caddy Camps in New Hampshire for many summers.

Family, friends, and faith were very important to Frank. Over the years, he and his wife were active parishioners and volunteers at Saint Jude's Parish. They could also be found working at the polls in Waltham on Election Day. Frank loved spending time with his family and being a teacher to his grandchildren. He loved working on home projects, tinkering in his workshop and working in his yard and garden. He was a member of the American Legion and the Massachusetts Teachers Association.

He is predeceased by his siblings, Leo Bottari, Mary Foti and Carmela 'Millie' Tummino.

In addition to his wife of 60 years, Josephine, he leaves their children, Francis J. 'Frank' Bottari, Jr. and his wife, Donna of Acton, Stephen M. Bottari and his girlfriend, Jania Andreotti of Laguna Niguel, California and Ann C. Leedberg and her husband, Gary of Chelmsford; his grandchildren, Michael, Angela and Sarah Bottari, Stephanie Sanceda and her husband, Vic, Stephen Jr., Brian and Jillian Bottari and Lauren Leedberg; his brother, John Bottari and his wife, Lois of Wakefield. Frank was looking forward to the birth of his first great-grandchild in February. He is also survived by many nieces & nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Frank's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Wednesday, January 27th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Jude Church, 147 Main Street, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery.

Memorials in his name may be made to Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Boston, 51 Sleeper Street, Boston, MA 02210