Obituary of Arnold Bottari

Arnold Bottari of Oakland, NJ, passed away at the age of 92 on September 29, 2018. A graduate of East Rutherford High School, he lived in Carlstadt and Wood-Ridge before moving to Oakland in 1959. He is survived by his daughter, Alicia, his special friend, Myrna Smith, his "like-a-son", Michael Wilder, and his sister, Mary Bright. He was predeceased by his wife, Anita. He served in the Army from 1950 to 1952 at White Sands Proving Grounds in Las Cruces, NM, where he was instrumental in developing the V-2 missile. He earned his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from Newark College of Engineering (now NJIT), and obtained his Professional Engineers License in 1964. He was employed as a mechanical engineer at Okonite Co., and JP Stevens Co. He served on the Oakland Industrial Committee, the Oakland Planning Board, and the Oakland Ethics Committee, and was past President and a member of the Oakland Senior Citizens Club. In the early 1970's, he and Anita co-founded Ramapo Animal Refuge, which later merged with rescue another group to become Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge. During his many years as a volunteer, he and Anita provided foster homes for countless RBARI dogs and cats. He enjoyed the brotherhood of the Masons, having been a member of the Euclid Lodge for 62 years. His kindness and positive spirit touched the lives of many, and he was repaid many times over by the compassion of others during his final months. Visitation will be Tuesday, October 2, from 4-8 PM at the Oakland Memorial Home, 330 Ramapo Valley Road, Oakland, NJ. A celebration of his life will be held at the Oakland Memorial Home on Wednesday, October 3, at 10:30 AM, followed by burial at Ponds Cemetery, and a repast at the Portobello Restaurant. In lieu of flowers, donations in Arnold's memory to Animal Protection League of New Jersey (aplnj.org or P.O. Box 186, Glen Gardner, NJ 08826) or to the Lakota Wolf Preserve (89 Mt. Pleasant Road, Columbia, NJ 07832) would be greatly appreciated.