Dr. James Richard “Dick” Kotwas, who was a dentist in Manomet for 40 years, died Feb. 21. He was 80.
Born in Auburn, NY where he graduated in 1963 from Auburn East High School, he earned a bachelor’s degree at Syracuse University and went to dental school at University of Buffalo. He and his wife moved to Manomet, where he set up his dental practice, later moving to West Barnstable, where they raised two daughters. He was recently of New City, NY.
Family and friends remember him as a world-class teller of bad jokes, a longtime lover of jazz, saxophone player, and bird watcher. He loved to spend time at the horseracing track with his family and lived with humor and optimism.
He is survived by his daughters, Dr. Ellen Kotwas-Song (Mark Song) of Montebello, NY and Susan Symons (Phillip Symons) of Watertown, MA as well as four grandchildren, Carolyn and Julia Song, and William and Lincoln Symons; sisters-in-law Kay Kotwas, Mary Jo Kotwas, Sherre Greenbaum (Stephen Greenbaum), and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Judy Aroneck Kotwas, sister Gwendolyn Nicosia, and brothers Kenneth Kotwas and William Kotwas.
A memorial service will be 10 a.m., March 7, at the First Parish Brewster Unitarian Universalist Church in Brewster. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of Buffalo and selecting the fund of your choice.