Obituary of James F. Bottcher

James Frederick Bottcher, Jr. 1936 – 2022 James F. Bottcher, Jr. (Jim), age 85, died on Saturday, August 6, 2022, at St. Joseph's Skilled Nursing Facility, Elmira. He was born in Elmira, on August 29, 1936, to the late Frances (Benson) and James F. Bottcher, Sr. Jim was predeceased by his wife, Patricia (Mundy) Bottcher; his son, Retired U.S. Army Colonel David W. Bottcher (Gulf Breeze, FL); and his brother-in-law, Dr. Bernell Argyle (Hopewell Junction, NY). He is survived by his children, sons, James F. Bottcher, III and Alexander M. Bottcher, both of Elmira; his daughter-in-law, Donna A. Bottcher (Gulf Breeze, FL); his daughters, Kathryn S. Matthews (Brian) of Tucson, AZ and Margaret C. McManus (Stephen) of Silver Spring, MD; his sister, Barbara B. Argyle (Hopewell Junction, NY); his dear friend, Gretchen "Joan" Barneski (Elmira); as well as, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. Jim graduated from Elmira Free Academy, attended Lafayette and Clarkson Colleges and was in the Army Reserves from 1958 to 1964. In the mid-1960's, he took over as the third generation to own and operate the family painting and decorating businesses: F. M. Bottcher & Sons, Inc., J. F. B. Painting & Supply, Inc., and Bottcher's Paint Stores in Elmira and Towanda. Jim loved snow skiing, boating, riding his motorcycle, tending to his lawn, building projects in Mexico with North Presbyterian Church, holidays with family and a good, hot bowl of soup. No public services will be held. A private family burial will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery, in the future. For those wishing to remember Jim with a donation, the family suggests the Alzheimer's Association, 435 E Henrietta Road, Rochester NY 14620 or the Arctic League, Inc., P O Box 113, Elmira NY 14902.