Rev. Gregory Thomas Botte, O.F.M. passed away at the William Oslar Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on August 28, 2012. He was 72 years of age. Thomas William Botte, son of Henry and Mary (Krukonis) Botte, was born on July 27, 1940 in Boston, MA. He became acquainted with the friars at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, East Boston and attended Christopher Columbus High School from 1954-58. He was received into the First Order on August 15, 1960 and given the religious name of Gregory. He made temporary profession on August 16, 1961 at Saint Anthony Friary, Catskill and made solemn profession on August 16, 1964 at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Troy. He was ordained priest by Bishop Lawrence Graziano, OFM on June 8, 1968 at Mount Alvernia, Wappingers Falls. Fr. Gregory spent his entire priestly life providing pastoral ministry in the Archdiocese of Toronto: Saint Agnes from 1968-70; Saint Francis of Assisi from 1970-76; Saint Charles Borromeo from 1976-90; Immaculate Conception from 1990-92; Saint Francis of Assisi in September 1992 until June 27, 2012. In addition, he served as President of our Foundation in Toronto from 1980-86 and as Definitor of the Province from 1989-95. Fr. Gregory always regarded Melrose as his home as well. As a young child he worked at Martin Florist in Malden, where he learned his excellent skills as a gardener and raised enough money to purchase his first bicycle. He always enjoyed his visits back home, loved to cook, shop, visit with friends and say Mass in his family home. Fr. Gregory enjoyed trips to Revere Beach, eating lobsters & crab legs and just being the family anchor. He had a heart of gold and had a passion for helping the poor; taking trips to the Pine Street Inn to drop off food, walking thru Boston quietly giving money to those in need, visiting the sick and helping the people of Toronto and surrounding communities. Fr. Gregory was the loving brother of John Botte of MI, June Carroll of Wakefield, Diane Mayo of Stoneham, Maryanne Babineau & Henry Botte both of Melrose and the late Robert Botte. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews & friends. Visitation will be held at Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St. Wakefield, on Wednesday, September 5, 2012 from 5:00-8:00PM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday at 10AM. Relatives & friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment in the Botte Family lot at Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose will follow. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Father Gregory's name to the Pine Street Inn, 444 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118.