BOTNER, GEORGE

George Botner, 82, of Cocoa, passed away Thursday, January 6, 2005, at Wuesthoff Hospice Care Center in Rockledge, Florida.

He moved to Brevard County in 1946 from Spring Valley, New York where he was born. He had many careers in his lifetime, a Marine, a retired Cocoa police lieutenant and the former owner of the Blue Matador and Coquina Lounge.

In 1942 he was in the 1st Marine Raider Battalion on Guadalcanal. In 1944 during World War II, he was wounded on Roi-Namur in the South Pacific and received a Purple Heart. He was proud to be a Marine.

During his career as a police officer in the 1950s, he was in charge of the Cocoa School Boy Patrol and was very active in the Jaycees.

George was a lifetime member of the Rockledge VFW Post #4534, and a charter member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #3550.

Survivors include his loving wife of 44 years, Ann of Cocoa; sons, George Jr. (Gretchen) of Jacksonville, FL, Clyde (Kay) of Tampa, FL, and Eric of Old Town, FL; daughter, Sandra (Jack) Meeks of Eustis, FL; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, January 10th, at the First United Methodist Church of Port St. John, 1165 Fay Blvd., where services will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, January 11th.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, For Kidney Cancer Research, 4356-B Fortune Place, West Melbourne, FL 32904.