By James DeWeese
Rotter's wife, Tamar, also a Holocaust survivor, was in a nursing home recovering from shoulder surgery when the fire broke out, grandson Boruch Salzberg said. She was, however, able to be with the family for the funeral services and burial Sunday.
Born in Poland, Rotter met his wife in Holland after World War II. The two had been in different concentration camps.
“He was a strong survivor,” Salzberg said. “He never focused on looking back or vengeance; he looked forward.”
The couple moved to the United States in the early 1950s, Salzberg said.
Neighbors from the 141-18 72nd Crescent block where Rotter and his wife lived for more than 20 years described him as an involved member of the community with a quick smile.
Salzberg said his grandfather often led services at the local temple.
“He had a beautiful voice and loved to lead services,” his grandson said.
Salzberg said Rotter had struggled with Parkinson's disease but fought back hard, recovering significantly.
“He was elderly, but he took care of himself,” said neighbor El Landau, who called Rotter and his wife “very special people.”
Landau's wife, Sharon, added that Rotter visited his wife everyday while she was recovering from surgery.
“He always had a smile on his face for you,” Sharon Landau said. “Always a greeting for you.”
Rotter's next-door neighbor, who did not wish to give her name, said her family was awakened when firefighters knocked on the front door and told them to evacuate.
“It was so fast, we just heard banging and smelled smoke,” she said. Her family did not suffer injuries.
A Fire Department spokeswoman said the fire call went through at 3:11 a.m. Firefighters arrived on scene four minutes later, she said. Twelve units with 60 firefighters responded to the blaze, which she said was extinguished by 3:45.
Fire department officials were continuing to investigate the cause of the fire, which neighbors said may have started in the first-floor kitchen.
Rotter is survived by his wife, two grown daughters – one of whom lives in Queens – six grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Rotter was buried in Long Island after religious services at Congregation Macchzekei Hadath in Kew Gardens.
Reach reporter James DeWeese by e-mail at news@timesledger.com, or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 157.
