Many may know that Jim Hottois has passed.  We are waiting for the family to issue an official obituary and will add it to Jim’s profile when received.  Until an obituary is issued a memorial provided by his involvement in the Civil Air Patrol is being included in his profile.

Today, Riverside Squadron 5 and Civil Air Patrol lost a great friend. 

This morning Lt Col James Hottois flew West on his final sortie after a short battle with cancer.

Hailing from Batavia, NY, he, and his wife Sue lived all over the United States as he progressed in an academic career, finally settling with homes in both Palm Springs and Vancouver, WA. Lt Col Hottois joined Civil Air Patrol in 1999, settling in Palm Springs Squadron 11. After a career as a college professor and college president, he retired and devoted a great deal of his time and expertise to CAP.

Jim was a Command Pilot, check pilot examiner, mission check pilot examiner, Airborne Operations Branch Manager, even an Airborne Photographer. He flew all missions including the Reaper escort mission in New York. He held a Commercial Certificate with Single and Muli-Engine Land, Single-Engine Sea, and Instrument ratings. He was a CFI with a Single-Engine Land rating.

Perhaps Jim's greatest impact has been as CAWG Director of Counterdrug for the last several years, maintaining a robust Counterdrug effort in various segments of our area of operation. He came to this position through the ranks and after many, many hours flying those missions. His love of the mission and affinity for those who flew it was apparent in the way he immersed himself in the endeavor. Certainly, his influence will be felt throughout the program for years to come.

Jim's contributions to Civil Air Patrol are many and diverse. From SAR/CD pilot to Region Staff College faculty, from primary instructor pilot for cadets to counterdrug mission manager, from Airborne Photographer to Reaper escort pilot. Certainly, a prodigious level of accomplishment. However, it should be noted that Jim was always approachable, with a great empathy and a wonderful sense of humor. His voice was big and his laugh was loud and unmistakable. He will be greatly missed in every way.

It is only appropriate that shortly after Jim flew West this morning, CAP487 flew one solo counterdrug mission. The aircraft is assigned to his home squadron, Palm Springs Squadron 11, and an airplane in which he flew hundreds of hours, and many counterdrug sorties and in which he trained many pilots and cadets. Jim saw a lot of sunrises and sunsets in this G1000 while flying our Missions for America. 

This morning, CAP487 was flown by Riverside Squadron 5 Commander, 1st Lt Andrey Tikhonov and Inland Empire Group 3 Operations Officer, Maj Terry Pratt, on Sortie A0728. They flew for 3.2 hours, low-level, in the prime, most impactful segment of our area of responsibility in the professional manner we expect of our pilots. Wedged in between the panel and windscreen, always in view, was a folded American flag in honor of Lt Col James Hottois and the outstanding service he performed for our community and nation.

Ops Normal, Jim. We'll see you at the big RTB.

Display:
By Year Deceased Alphabetically BHS '61 Classmate Photo


 
BHS '61 CLASSMATES

2024
Jo Ann Cotter (O'Geen)  

2023
Kathleen Amidon (Cutitta)  
Laura Bosseler (Perry)  
Robert Chapman  
James Hottois  
Roxanne King (Choate)  
Dottie McCoy (Rowcliffe)  
Joan Meyer (Giffen)  
James R. Owen  

2022
Florence Ficarella (Hamilton)  
Sue Kleps (Sokalaski)  
Lucille Prospero (Caruso)  

2021
William Archer  
Sheila Chatt (Quincey)  
Manuel Colombo  
Robert Fanara  
Jim Minor  
Chuck Schweiger  
Steven Stone  
Maxine Tomski (Parada)  

2018
Sharon Belmonte (Stefanello)  
Nancy Colombo (Trendel)  
Ronald Klimczak  
Wanda Motz (Gardner)  

2017
Shirley Schneller (Toal)  
Peter Swanz  

2016
Jacqueline Collard  
Nancy Decker (Plath)  
James German  
James Pappalardo  
Patricia Spadacino (Ruge)  

2015
Fred Mansueto  
Ronald Reeves  
Alfred Saraceni  

2014
Robert Clark  

2013
Julian Gorczyca  
Thomas Pirro  
Suzanne Waters (Penepent)  

2011
Fusako "Deko" Hashizume (Higashiya)  
LuAnn Long (Protain)  
Franklin Maniace  

2009
Arthur Andreassen  
Frank Lord  
Frank Miller  

2008
William Falcone  
Patricia Lewis  
David G. Pestell  
Robert Sage  
Ronald Sepi  

2007
Robert Fricker  

2006
Douglas Didget  
Nicholas Spadacino  

2005
Cynthia Corbett (Rudnicki)  
George Frongetta  
Mary Grace Scibetta (Wlazlak)  

2004
Gerald Carey  
Judith Seward (Gilt)  

2003
Gerald Halfenger  

2001
Irving Fryer  

2000
Thomas Patterson  
Thomas Tresco  

1999
Richard Stenard  
Carl M. Voorhees  

1998
Rosalyn Clute (Kanches)  
Joseph Falkowski  

1994
Todd Knox  

1988
Betty Marabella (Antinore)  

1984
Dominic Sepi  

1982
Roger Brown  

1981
Treva Baker (Schiavi)  
Marilyn de Valk (Mehal)  

1975
Charlene Schultz (Harmer)  
 
GUESTS

2019
Kathy Owen (BHS '63)  

2016
Joan M. Pfeifer  

2015
John Bobka (Teacher)  

2014
Ambrose Ryan  

2013
Patricia Mensel Perkins, MD  

2012
George Raines  

2011
Virginia Holmgren (Russell) (First Grade Teacher At East)  

2010
Miss Virginia E. Dash (Teacher)  
James B. Hanley (Teacher)  
Marie E. Raines (Gym Teacher)  
Mary A. Tyler (Art Teacher)  

2009
Jean Harrower (Harloff, East Kindergarten Teacher)  
Thomas J. Ricci Sr. (Coach)  
Mr. Leland Sanborn (Principal)  
Mr. Oliver Spaulding (Class Advisor)  

2008
Miss Catherine A. McClellan (Teacher/Counselor)  

2007
Ellen M. Hawver (Teacher)  

2006
Robert S. Crook (Music Dept. Chair)  
Mary Jo Williamee (Sprague, Teacher)  

2004
Robert T. Howe, Sr. (Teacher)  

2003
Alice Canty Kenna (Teacher)  
Ruth M. McEvoy (Richmond Memorial Library Librarian)  

2002
William H. Collins (Teacher)  

2001
Huletta Darch Lambein (Kindergarten Teacher)  

2000
Jean W. Adams (Teacher)  

1999
Nicholas T. Falco (Teacher, Dean Of Boys)  

1998
Carl W. Stamp (Principal)  

1997
Marie O. Clarke (Teacher)  
Mr. Theodore C. Day (Teacher)  

1996
Miss Mildred N. Weber (Librarian)  

1995
Mrs. Esther Hutchinson (Robert Morris Teacher)  
Mary McCulley Henry (Teacher)  

1994
Zita M. Muller (Teacher, Elementary School Principal)  

1993
Miss Eleanor L. Haitz (Dean Of Girls)  
Robert A. Lenz (Teacher)  
Mr. Edward L. Osborn (Superintendent)  
William Pawluckie (Teacher)  

1992
Herman C. Dilmore (Teacher)  
Miss Loretta M. Growney (Teacher)  

1991
Barbara Boatfield Meier (Henry, Teacher)  
Sal Puleo (Teacher)  
Charles E. Roberts (Teacher)  

1988
Miss B. (Beulah) Pauline Gehring (Teacher)  
Mr. Ernest R. Huff (Teacher)  
Kathryn Lennon (Teacher)  
Eleanore Prendergast (Kosciolek) (Biology Teacher)  
John S. ("Jack") Randall (Teacher)  

1986
Dr. Caryl G. Hedden (Principal Of Pringle And Jackson Schools)  

1984
Beatrice M. Gehring (Smith), (Principal, Brooklyn And Robert Morris)  

1982
Helen A. Collins (Teacher)  
Mary L. O'Brien (Teacher)  
Elmer A. Sewert (Industrial Arts Teacher)  

1981
William E. Winters (Teacher)  

1980
Val Jean Burns (Teacher)  

1979
Eleanor U. Homelius (Teacher, Dean)  
Lucy E. Stella (Teacher)  

1978
Mr. Frank E. Owen (Teacher)  

1977
Elmer C. Baker (Teacher)  
Mr. Raymond T. Byrne (Teacher)  
Robert L. Flick (Science Teacher)  

1976
Charles C. Cullison (Teacher)  

1975
Edwin G. ("Duke") Johnson (Teacher)  
Mrs. Ruby Marian Wickings Mark (Special Ed Faculty)  

1973
Daniel J. Bender (Teacher)  
Ambrose R. Clarke (Teacher, Dean Of Boys)  
Kathleen M. Forsyth (English Teacher)  
Marie C. Gentner (Keegan, Teacher)  

1972
Daniel A. Van Detta (Dir. Phys Ed)  

1970
Gerald S. Hugaboom (Vocational Ed)  
R. Josephine Philibin (Teacher)  

1969
Loretta Dailey (BHS Math Teacher)  
Geraldine Deeney (Williams, Pringle, And Jackson Teacher)  

1966
Miss Ethel M. Brumsted (Vice-Principal, Teacher, Class Of '61 Advisor)  
Llewellyn C. Meier (Teacher)  
Edna G. Thompson (Teacher)  

1957
Dr. Dexter Pierce (School Physician)  

If you are aware of a BHS '61 Classmate who should be added to this page please let us know.



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