Amal Botros (1934-2019)
Amal Botros, 84, died Jan. 16, 2019, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie. The mother of Nabil Botros, the director of facilities for the Haldane Central School District, she moved in December from her longtime home on Staten Island to Cold Spring.
Born Aug. 18, 1934, in Cairo, Egypt, Amal came to the U.S. in 1969 with her husband and two sons. Her husband of 55 years, Mamdouh Botros, died in 2015.
After graduating from Cairo University, Amal became a journalist (her husband also was a journalist). She later worked at Chase Manhattan Bank for 21 years until her retirement in 1990, after which she devoted her time to serving the Coptic Orthodox Church on Staten Island.
Besides her son, Nabil Botros, and his wife, Azza, Amal is survived by her son, Adel Botros (Carolyn), and her grandchildren, Alexandra, John George and Katherine Botros. She also is survived by a sister, Nagat (Asaad).
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Jan. 24 at Coptic Orthodox Church Archangel Michael and Saint Mena in Staten Island, followed by interment at Rosedale Cemetery in Linden, New Jersey. Memorial donations Coptic Orphans (copticorphans.org).
Gloria Larese (1925-2019)
Gloria Larese, 93, died Jan. 16, 2019, at her home in Cold Spring.
Born Nov. 13, 1925, in Peekskill, she was the daughter of Victor and Mary (Sabato) Varella. She grew up in Finktown neighborhood and she often told stories about carnivals, ballgames and ice skating on Penelope Pond.
After attending Peekskill High School, she commuted to the GM plant in Tarrytown during World War II, where she riveted the tail section of fighter aircraft. After the war, she and friends were enjoying a sundae at the Marathon ice cream parlor when Joseph Larese, back home after serving in the Pacific, asked her for a date. They were married Christmas Eve 1946.
They shared a love of music, and as a formally trained musician, he was always amazed at how well she played the piano “by ear.” They would often attend Broadway shows and concerts and she loved telling people the circumstances behind how she met Luciano Pavarotti. Music was just one of her creative pursuits, and she excelled in needlework, quilting and fine cooking and always found time for a good game of poker. She loved nature and art and instilled in her family the wonder and beauty of life.
She is survived by her children: Linda Stollmer (Ray); John Larese; and Joe Larese (JoAnn); as well as her grandchildren: Laura Kozelouzek, David Kozelouzek (Coleen Henry), Linda Larese, Lauren Good (Gabe), Andrea Larese, Joseph Larese and Jennifer Larese; and great-grandchildren: Jordan Sotomayor, Gavin Good and Liam Good. She also is survived by her siblings: Victor Varella (Vivian); Leonard Varella; and Rita Blanco.
Calling hours were held on Jan. 23 at Curry and Giordano Funeral Home in Peekskill, followed by burial at Assumption Cemetery in Cortlandt Manor.
Father Bartholomew Minson (1938-2019)
Father Bartholomew Minson, 80, died Jan. 18, 2019, in the Bronx.
Born George Thomas Minson in Richmond Hill on Oct. 23, 1938, he was the son of George and Anna (McEnroe) Minson. He attended St. Cecilia Parochial School in Brooklyn and St. Mary High School in Garrison, graduating in 1956. George was invested as a Capuchin Franciscan friar on Aug. 31, 1956, receiving the name Bartholomew at St. Lawrence Friary in Milton, Massachusetts.
After earning a degree in philosophy from St. Anthony Friary in Hudson, New Hampshire, he professed his solemn vows on Sept. 1, 1960. He went on to complete his master’s in theological studies at the Capuchin Theological Seminary in Garrison and was ordained to the priesthood on Nov. 28, 1964, in Yonkers.
In preparation for missionary service, Father Bart attended language school in Tokyo; he would later minister in Japan for 33 years until his return to the U.S. in 2008. Where he served for 13 years at St. Francis Solanus in Interlaken until 2015, when he joined the senior friar fraternity of St. Clare in Yonkers.
Father is survived by his siblings, Arthur Minson of New York City; Eileen Roge-Minson of Port St. Lucie, Florida, and Robert Minson of Steward Manor, along with their spouses and families.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at the Monastery Church of the Sacred Heart in Yonkers on Jan. 22. Father Bartholomew requested that he be interred in Okinawa among those he loved and served.
