Robert Botto | Owned food businesses, 74

Robert Botto, 74, of Swedesboro, owner of three food businesses and a prize-fighter manager, died of a heart attack Feb. 15 at his home.

Mr. Botto, known as "Big Bob," owned Botto's Italian Market and Botto's Italian Line Restaurant and Banquet Hall in Swedesboro. He also owned C.W. Brown & Co., which manufacturers Botto's Italian Sausage in Mount Royal.

Though his four sons now run the businesses, Mr. Botto continued to oversee operations. His son Robert Jr. said he engaged customers with his loud voice, his singing - his favorite song was "My Way" - and his cigar smoke.

For 40 years, Mr. Botto also managed fighters in Philadelphia, including several championship contenders, his son said.

Mr. Botto grew up in South Philadelphia and Woodbury Heights, and graduated from Woodbury High School. At age 20, he opened a meatpacking and slaughterhouse business in South Philadelphia. He dreamed of being an actor, his son said, and in the early 1960s he went to Hollywood and won a role in the television series The Untouchables. But the show was canceled, and he returned to South Philadelphia and took over the operations of the food market in Swedesboro his brothers had purchased.

In addition to his wife of 48 years, Catherine Aversa Botto, and son, Mr. Botto is survived by sons Vincent, Domenic, and Enrico; two sisters; and six grandchildren. A Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. tomorrow at St. Joseph's Church, 140 Broad St., Swedesboro. Friends may call from 9 a.m. tomorrow, and from 6 to 9 p.m. today. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Woolwich Township.