A Mass of Christian Burial for Msgr. James E. Gotimer, pastor emeritus of St. Bartholomew’s, Elmhurst, was celebrated Nov. 16 at the church.
He died Monday, Nov. 11 at Bishop Mugavero Residence, Douglaston. He was 86.
Born in Brooklyn, he was baptized at Our Lady of Angels Church, Bay Ridge. He attended Cathedral College, Brooklyn, and Immaculate Conception Seminary, Huntington, L.I. He was ordained June 6, 1953 at St. James Pro-Cathedral, Downtown Brooklyn, by Bishop Thomas E. Molloy.
He served as an assistant at Most Holy Trinity parish, Williamsburg, 1953-63, and served on the faculty of Cathedral Prep, Elmhurst, 1963-69.
He was the principal of Bishop Reilly Diocesan H.S., Fresh Meadows, 1969-74.
In 1974, he was named pastor of St. Bartholomew parish and served in that position until 1998 when he retired.
Earlier this year, he moved from a private residence to Bishop Mugavero Residence, Douglaston.
Auxiliary Bishop Paul Sanchez was the main celebrant of the funeral Mass.
Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery, Flatbush.
Reverend Gotimer was a fine teacher of theology. I was one of his students at Holy Trinity. He had fine discipline and a wry sense of humor. I remember his fondly. Jim Brown class of 1969
Father Gotimer was my 12th grade Religion teacher. He was wonderful. God rest his soul!
he was in charge of the alter boys at holy trinity he treated us very well