CAPE VINCENT — John R. Botting, 89, Cape Vincent and Marathon, Fla., died Thursday at his son's home in Tampa, Fla., after a long battle with heart disease.

Mr. Botting owned and operated Botting's Drug Store in Phoenix until 1966 and had been associated with three Kinney Drugs stores in Watertown.

He later spent summers in Cape Vincent and winters in Marathon.

He was known as the "Fishin' Farmacist" charter boat captain.

He was born June 12, 1918, in Syracuse, son of Harold R. and Marie Shannon Botting. His mother died three months after his birth and he was raised by his paternal grandparents, James and Helen Botting, in Oswego, and later by a paternal aunt and her husband, Helen and William Scofield, in Ohio.

Mr. Botting graduated from Columbus (Ohio) South High School in 1936, from the University of Albany College of Pharmacy in 1942 and from Syracuse University with a master of science degree in education.

Commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army, he served as a fighter pilot in the Battle of Iwo Jima during the Pacific campaign of World War II.

He was honorably discharged in 1946.

He married Mary Louise Manor on June 14, 1941. The marriage ended in divorce.

Surviving are twin sons and their wives, Douglas and Paula, Tampa, and Richard and Jane, Massena, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

There will be no public services.Instead of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice.

Arrangements are with Blount & Curry Funeral Home, Tampa.

Condolences may be made online at www.blountcurrycarrollwood.com.