Miguel Alberto Botelho

Condolences

Mary & Peter Van Wie lit a candle and writes,
Miguel was one of a kind. Besides being talented in various things, he was a good, gentle soul! His humor was unique & unforgettable! As his cousin, I knew Miguel when we’re both quite young, with memorable wonderful memories! May you Rest in Peace, Miguel! You’ll be missed! Mary & Pete Van Wie
04/25/2026 06:58 pm
Lisa Walker (Motter) writes,
So sorry to see the passing of a very old friend. We first met way back in junior high school and became part of a tight knit friend group in college. Later, as married couples we enjoyed many good times together. Me and my spouse and you and yours watching "Dynasty" together every Wed night. Going to concerts, picnics, local events of all kinds. Divorces took us apart into different places but life unfolded in similar ways: children and grandchildren, and growing older by the day. So glad to hear you never lost your love of music and zest for fun times. Death has come too soon but you will always be remembered amongst those that knew you. Miguel, rest in sacred peace.
04/29/2026 03:20 pm
Phil Hoffman writes,
How do we measure a lifetime in just a few words? I’m thinking of the passing of one of my best friends, while listening to the beautiful music of Elegy by one of Miguel’s favorite artists, Jethro Tull. Very fitting, I think, since it has no words. Just the poetry the listener creates in their own mind. My mind goes back to the early days of our friendship in high school. We were all “Salesian gentlemen” as the students were called, although we also learned to be very sharp blackjack players in 4th period AP self-studies class! Like a lot of his peers, Miguel shared a deep passion for good music, but his enthusiasm for the blues really took it to another level. He diligently learned guitar and composed songs and poetry. I loved the many jam sessions in what he called the “JV blues/jazz band”. He also had a great grasp of the intellectual side of life, and I remember many nights sitting around discussing the issues of the day, and solving the world’s problems until the sun came up. I was always so proud of him for finishing up his undergrad degree years later while still working full time and even going for his master’s degree in the hard sciences. I told him more than once that took grit and more brainpower than I could ever muster. A real friendship lets you reconnect easily, no matter how much time has passed or how rarely you meet. That I will sorely miss. Farewell, gentle soul!
04/30/2026 05:50 pm
Steve Irons lit a candle and writes,
I'm sorry I couldn't be there for your service, friend. I'll miss you for the rest of my life. My heartfelt condolences to your family. Michael and Marissa, I pray for your peace and comfort during this time. Rest assured, you were everything your father needed and wanted you to be. May your memories of him be filled with love and joy. I met Miguel in college, introduced to me by Pat Hahler at a U of D dorm party in early 1976. We soon became the best of friends and he, an impactful influence for the rest of my life. In those youthful years Miguel was the focal point of our group of friends; people flocked to his charisma and fun, gentle nature. Many of his friends became mine and we had so much fun together. I remember a particular late, late night, playing Risk on the floor. Toward the end it was just Miguel and I, fighting to rule the world. I had him out flanked and outnumbered but somehow, he just wouldn't lose. Then I discovered Phil Hoffman was slipping him 10-man pieces to bolster his army. We rolled on the floor laughing. Great friends, great times. After college Miguel and I both worked for DuPont at the Experimental Station. We would often go to lunch together, smoke cigarettes and a little cannabis, discuss the issues that effected our lives and make plans for later. For a few years we shared a desk area in a lab working for the two chemists who split the lab, a chemical fume hood on each side. During work it wasn't uncommon for a rubberband, pipette bulb or other harmless object to land on my head, or land on Miguel's head. Yes, sometimes we would miss and the projectile would go into the hood, but we never damaged any equipment. Though there were a couple spills. :O) We had great fun, and that's what I'll always remember about Miguel. The fun we had together. See you later, Miguel. Love you <3
05/02/2026 12:20 pm
William Stat lit a candle and writes,
This is a painful one to write….I’d just gotten back in touch with Miguel, but his health was clearly failing, so I didn’t get a chance to really get re-acquainted. I originally met Miguel back in 1974, my first year at the University of Delaware. Miguel became an integral part of my life for 10 years until I moved away in 1986, got married and pursued a career. My relationship with Miguel was really the first “adult” relationship I had after college. It seemed like he was the first to get married, the first to have kids! Even though it had been 30+ years since I spoke to Miguel, our recent phone calls were as if we hadn’t missed any time at all. He was as he usually was, upbeat, at peace with himself and with life. That’s the lesson I’ll take away from my friendship with Miguel. Love yourself, love your neighbor, be at peace with life! I’ll miss you Miguel, but I know you’re in a way better place. I just know that you’re hovering around us, smiling that familiar iridescent smile!!!!
05/04/2026 10:58 am
Linda Sekelsky writes,
My condolences to his family. He was an amazing man. I never met anyone quite like him. Insanely intelligent...talented...creative. He always had a strong presence and a magnetic personality. I went to Southeastern Massachusetts University with Miguel. We both played guitar...he fell in love with my Gibson ES-125 and nicknamed it "Greta". He always wanted to borrow my guitar whenever he headed home for a long weekend. We wrote poetry together, walked through the woods a lot, read Tarot cards, and listened to the best music on earth. We'd talk all night about existence, knowledge, Tolkien, Carlos Castaneda, and everything in between. I'll never forget him. Rest in peace, fellow hobbit.
06/01/2026 02:59 pm