Miguel Alberto Botelho

Miguel Alberto Botelho, 71, of Newark Delaware died peacefully at home on Tuesday, April 14th, 2026 after battling cancer.

He was born in 1977 in Wilmington Delaware and grew-up in Highland woods with his parents Alberto and Alice Botelho and his sister Priscilla. After graduating Salesianum School, he studied philosophy for a few years at Southeastern Massachusetts University and University of Delaware, then left school to work as an entomologist at DuPont, returning to UD years later to complete his BS in analytical chemistry.

Miguel was a committed musician, he spent years playing blues in a band with friends and collecting unique instruments from a variety of countries. He had lifelong friendships, often gathering for tabletop game nights or playing remotely as his friends spread out to different cities. His playfulness and wit was matched by his deeply analytical nature. Miguel loved fantasy and sci-fi and having lengthy discussions about the nature of humanity and perception.

He was a devoted father and grandfather, known for being a gentle goofball whose knowledge of the natural world imparted a lasting love of science on all his family.

He is survived by his children, Marissa and Michael, son-in-law Jon Steffen and daughter-in-law Christine Botelho, his three grandchildren Cooper Lillard, Lucas and Lily Botelho, his brother-in-law Walter Ruebeck, niece Jessica Voorees, many cousins and friends. He is predeceased by his parents, Alberto and Alice Botelho, sister Priscilla Ruebeck, and nephew George.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026 at 12:00 pm at Holy Family Catholic Church, 15 Gender Road, Newark, DE 19713. A visitation will be held at church prior to the mass beginning at 11:00 am. Interment will follow the mass at All Saints Cemetery, Wilmington, DE.