Guido “Guy” Rotella

Guido “Guy” Rotella died on Monday, February 17, at The Meadows in Rutland, after a brief illness, and with his loving family at his side. He was born on May 4, 1919, in Rutland, the son of Mariano and Carmela Rotella.

After graduation from Mt. Saint Joseph Academy and attendance at the University of Alabama, Guido served in the Navy during World War II, undergoing flight training, then teaching aircraft and ship identification. He married Laura Bottomley in 1947, and the couple raised five children. After periods of employment in sales and manufacturing, Guido operated Rotella’s Barber Shop in Rutland until his retirement at 70.  He made his craft of barbering an art, and his professional skills and organizational and diplomatic talents were recognized by his appointment as chair of the Vermont State Barber Board and election as president of the Vermont State Barber’s Association, positions also indicating his commitment to public service.  A life-long communicant of St. Peter’s Church, Mr. Rotella served his parish in many capacities: for instance, as a lay reader, member and chair of the cemetery commission, school board member, and liaison to the public schools. Service to his hometown included membership on the Rutland Area Vocational School and Rutland Police Department study groups and the chairmanship of the city Housing Authority. Like his father before him, he served as president and was an active member of the Sicilian-American Society, a self-help and social organization founded by immigrants. Respected, admired, and loved by a large circle of family and friends, known for his imaginative empathy with the needs of others, Guido was a confidant and advisor to many, as well as an avid cook, handyman, and gardener, and a connoisseur of politics, music, and sports, especially golf at the Rutland Country Club, where he was a long-time member. Like his friends and family, those things stayed with and stayed him through a long and productive life.

Guido is survived by his five children: Guy (and Mary Jane Marro) Rotella of Belmont, Massachusetts, Robert (and Darlene Avery) Rotella of Keswick, Virginia, Susan (and Stephen) Biro of Concord, Massachusetts, Mary Anne Rotella (and Mark Butler) of San Francisco, California, and Jay (and Martha Riley) Rotella of Bozeman, Montana; by his granddaughters, Casey (Rotella) Baruzzini and Sophia Rotella; by great-grandchildren Lucy, Max, Laura, Thomas, George, Maria, Elena, and Emilia Baruzzini and their father Michael; and by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his well-loved wife Laura, his sisters, Josephine Rotella, Irene (Rotella) Ryan, Nancy (Rotella) Lemmo, Sylvia (Rotella) Manez, Edith (Rotella) Carrigan, and Dea Rotella, and by his brother, Roy Rotella.

Funeral arrangements are by Clifford Funeral Home in Rutland. Calling hours will be on Friday, February 21, from 4-7 p.m.  The funeral mass will be at St. Peter’s Church on Saturday, February 22, at 11 a.m., with burial at Calvary Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions in Guido Rotella’s name may be made to St. Peter’s Church, 134 Convent Avenue, Rutland VT. 05701