Alex Botkin
October 16, 1948 - March 24, 2025

ALEX BOTKIN: Was born on October 16, 1948 in a refugee camp in Hohenfels, Germany, the only child of Nada and George Botkin. He and his parents came to the United States in 1949 and first settled in North Carolina, later moving to New York, and then finally moved to Pittsburgh when he was 13, where he lived the rest of his life. Alex is survived by his high school sweetheart, Mimi Botkin, his two daughters, Ellen Botkin (Ben Chloros) and Kira Harris (Todd Harris), and his grandchildren Elijah, Nicholas, and Aurelia. Alex was incredible at building, fixing, and creating and later in life became a skilled woodworker and built an entire studio in his garage that he shared with friends old and new. Alex peacefully passed away at home with his family around him on March 24, 2025. He is dearly loved and is deeply missed by all who knew him. Services at Temple Sinai, 5505 Forbes Avenue, Squirrel Hill on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 1 PM. Visitation one and one half hour prior to service at Temple (11:30 AM - 1 PM). Interment Temple Sinai Memorial Park. Shiva services will be held at Schenley Gardens on Thursday, March 27 and Saturday, March 29 at 7 PM. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you kindly contribute to Hello Neighbor, a Pittsburgh-based organization dedicated to supporting refugee and immigrant family resettlement. Donate at www.helloneighbor.io/donate. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. www.schugar.com

Condolences

Send Condolence

Loved him from the first I met him in 69 and always will , heart and hugs pouring out to you all😘🤟

By Elizabeth Pullen - April 02, 2025

---

Mimi, We send our condolences to you & family. With Sympathy, Stuart & Linda Miller

By Stuart & Linda Miller - March 30, 2025

---

I never got to meet Alex but have known you for many years through different iterations of our lives. I know the last few years have been challenging and I'm glad Alex is at peace and I hope you are too. You are living in a good place and I'm sure with your warm, outgoing personality you are part of a new community who will be there for you. You have always given so much to others. Take care of yourself.

By Meryl Lazar - March 29, 2025

---

To one of the finest gentleman I ever knew, Rest In Piece my Dear Friend.

By Joe Fello - March 29, 2025

---

Oh my poor, dear Mimi! To have lost your sweet,wonderful Alex! And Ellen and Kira, to have lost your loving father! How terribly, terribly, heart-breakingly sad! Mimi, I remember the day that you and Alex finally united your lives OFFICIALLY, even though you had joined your hearts in deep, deep love long before your wedding day! Part-way through the ceremony, you started to cry! Then your sister (?). beside you, began to cry, and I think even Alex had tears in his eyes. Very quickly, most of the rest of us there were teary-eyed. As you passed me, coming back down the aisle, you leaned over and said,"But I'm really very happy!" We all knew that, but we also knew that they were tears of relief, because finally you and Alex were MARRIED!!!, after such a long, hard struggle of years! You and he had FINALLY done it!!! And now, so many years later....Among my prayers for you, dear Mimi, that God will wrap His loving arms around you and your family--and all those who have loved you and Alex--, and that He will comfort you and strengthen you and guide you and give you courage to face the hard days and nights ahead, I also include the prayer that someday, on a day or a night of God's choosing, you will begin to think of your dearest Alex without quite so many tears, without quite so much heartache, and maybe with just the beginning of a smile, which, I pray, will grow ever so slowly as the days go by. I will continue to keep you and your family in my prayers and send you my love every day.

By MARY LU WALTER - March 29, 2025

---

Alex was our charming, creative, and the Cordova Road neighbor with the insightful wit. Neighborhoods need a glue to keep them together and Alex was ours – and he was our friend. Our condolences go out to the entire Botkin family --Mimi, Kira and Ellen. Dolores and David Avner

By Dolores and David Avner - March 28, 2025

---

I never met Alex in person. I was in charge of creating a web site for our 1964 Peabody High School fifty-year reunion. I knew virtually nothing about web site development. Someone, I don't remember who, told me to contact Alex because he was knowledgeable about such things. We did connect and despite the fact that we were a school year apart, Alex became my go-to web site maven. His help in getting our web site up and running was invaluable. I will be forever grateful for his generosity of time and his always patient demeanor in guiding me through the process.

By Phil Marcus - March 28, 2025

---

You and your family has our deepest sympathy

By Dana Brown - March 27, 2025

---

Alex was a wonderful neighbor on Cordova Road. I always enjoyed spending time talking with him and will never forget his sense of humor, big smile, and kindness. The Botkin Family was a pillar of our neighborhood. Our deepest condolences to Mimi, Ellen, and Kira. May Alex rest in peace. Much love from the Fato's (Anna, Miki, Lucy, Sina, Carl, and Lucia)

By Anna Fato and the Fato Family - March 26, 2025

---

Alex was a good soul. I enjoyed all conversations with him, before and during his illness. Mimi, I’m here for you. ❤️❤️❤️My sincere condolences to your family.

By Mara Hellman - March 26, 2025

---

I am saddened to learn of the passing of this extraordinary man. For some years, he was my consultant while I was at OSHA. His intellect and imagination enabled him to do exceptional work to help OSHA help the public to understand complex health and safety problems and regulations. He was the architect of the Hazard Awareness Advisor. It was and still is an extremely versatile tool to recognize workplace hazards and to advise people on what to do about them. And on top of that, he was a very charming man. I am glad I knew him.

By Edward Stern - March 26, 2025

---

so sorry for your loss. you had many many good years together, and i know you will miss him terribly. stay strong!

By Stephanie Brown - March 26, 2025

---

GOD bless my fellow traveler on the USS Marine Jumper. He was born 4 days before me in a different DP camp. I guess we are making the final journey separately. RIP Alex

By RAPHAEL MCDEVITT KRALJIC - March 26, 2025

---

So sorry for your loss.

By Sandy Davis - March 26, 2025

---

Mimi and Family, Our condolences to all of you on the loss of your beloved husband, father and grandfather. I never had the honor of meeting him, but I knew Mimi from my days at the Holocaust Center. May his memory forever be a blessing.

By Samantha Patty Chilton - March 26, 2025

---

Mimi - We are very sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. May his memory be a blessing.

By Marcy & Harvey Kronzek - March 26, 2025

---