Hanson- Donald A. “Mike” Botieri age 81 died November 5th surrounded by his loving family after a battle with Alzheimer’s. He was the husband of Elizabeth “Betty” (Richardson) Botieri for 57 years.
Born August 6, 1928 he was a lifelong resident of Hanson and the son of the late Antonio “Nino” and Ida Botieri of Hanson. He graduated from Whitman High School in 1947 and was one of the original “Burridge Boys” of south Hanson. He served in the US Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Germany. While in Germany he played on a touring baseball team for the troops. He was actively involved in Hanson Kiwanis, American Legion, Whitman VFW and the Hanson Athletic Association.
Don was the town barber in Hanson for over 58 years with the original “sports” barbershop, where pennants and championship t-shirts of all the Boston sports teams hang. He also displayed photos of local youth sports teams and residents serving in the armed forces around the world. He boasted cutting the hair of 4 generations of families. He was actively involved in the Hanson Little League for over 30 years and was league president for over 15 years. In 1986, he received the ultimate honor of having the town Little League field named the “Donald A. Botieri Field”. When asked of his devotion to the Hanson Little League he said all he wanted was to give the kids of Hanson the opportunity to play the game he loved so much. Many in town called him “Mr. Baseball” or “The Mayor of Hanson”. Don was an avid sports fan and season ticket holder of the Patriots, but his love and devotion to the Boston Red Sox was unsurpassed. He gave his heart and soul to his family, the barbershop and the town of Hanson that he loved so much.
Don leaves 4 children; daughters Carol Davis of Whitman and Karen Zaiatz of Hanson, and sons Andrew Botieri of Plymouth and Michael Botieri of West Greenwich, RI. He also leaves 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
The family invites friends and patrons of Don to his visiting hours to be held Thursday November 12 from 4-8 PM in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel Plymouth Street (Rt. 58 at the rotary) Whitman, and to his funeral service on Friday November 13 at 9 AM from the Blanchard Funeral Chapel followed by a 10 AM mass in the St. Joseph the Worker Church, Hanson. Burial will follow in Fern Hill Cemetery, Hanson. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made in Don’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association 311 Arsenal St. Watertown, MA 02472, St. Joseph the Worker Church-Building Fund 1 Maquan St. Hanson, MA 02341, or the Hanson Little League Box 643 Hanson, MA 02341.