Dr. John Emmanuel Botzolakis, of Warren, New Jersey, passed away in the early morning on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 after a 15 year battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was 71 years of age.
Dr. Botzolakis was born and raised in Chania, Crete in Greece, one of five brothers.
He immigrated to the United States in 1972 at 19 years of age and enrolled as an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He continued his education at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, obtaining master’s and PhD degrees in pharmaceutical sciences. His graduate work led to multiple conference proceedings and publications in scientific journals.
Dr. Botzolakis got his professional start in the pharmaceutical industry in 1984 as a research associate at Warner Lambert in Morris Plains, New Jersey, where he developed a variety of new products and obtained several patents . In 1993, he joined Kabco Pharmaceuticals in Amityville, New York, serving as director of operations. He went on to start his own vitamin and supplement manufacturing company, Soma Labs, in Middlesex, New Jersey in 1998, serving as President and CEO until his death.
Dr. Botzolakis had a lively and magnetic personality. He was naturally social, frequently hosting gatherings and parties for friends and family at his home. He always enjoyed a good cigar and fine whiskey, and never turned down a game of backgammon. He was a generous and charitable man who supported a variety of causes, including the St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Piscataway and the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), Monroe Chapter 75.
Dr. Botzolakis is survived by his loving wife, Dionyssia Petropoulou; by his son, Dr. Emmanuel John Botzolakis, daughter-in-law, Dr. Liya Beyderman, and grandchildren, Stefan and Adrian Botzolakis; by his brothers, Stylianos Botzolakis and Iosif Botzolakis; and by many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Emmanuel and Georgia Botzolakis; and his brothers, Andreas Botzolakis and Eleftherios Botzolakis.
Dr. Botzolakis will lie-in-state from 10am-12pm on Monday, October 21, 2024 at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1101 River Road in Piscataway, New Jersey. This will be followed by a funeral service and reception at the church. Interment and graveside services will take place at a later date in his hometown of Chania, Crete.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to the AHEPA Monroe Chapter 75 at http://ahepa75.org/payments/ and/or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/pulfibfou/.
