Barney Gulotta

Barney Gulotta, who lived a life full of adventure, love, and remarkable accomplishments, passed away on the morning of January 19, 2025, just four days after the anniversary of his beloved wife Rosalie’s passing, with his daughter, Julia Hegler, son Christopher and his daughter in law Teresa, by his side. Barney and Rosalie Tortorice Gulotta shared 61 years of marriage until her death in 2017. Together, they built a life full of love, tenderness, warmth and boundless devotion to family and friends.

Barney was the proud son of Joseph and Rose DiMaria Gulotta and he brought them immense honor throughout his life. In addition to Julia and Christopher, he is survived by their supportive and loving spouses, Richard and Teresa. He also leaves six adoring grandchildren Jessica, Christopher, Amanda, Jonathan, Brenna, and Steven, three great-grandchildren and an additional son, Steven.

Known affectionately as "the Chief" to family and friends, Barney’s story began in a Bushwick, Brooklyn tenement and, as an adult, settling in Middle Village, Queens, and later Rye, NY. His resilience, creativity, warmth, adventurous spirit, and quick-witted sense of humor left an impression on everyone he met. Barney had an entrepreneurial spirit that led him from serving in the US Navy and the NYPD to founding a chain of five classic New York-style delicatessens on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, and in the 1970’s expanding to operate sandwich shops in Midtown and a supermarket in New Fairfield, CT.

Notwithstanding a six-day work week that began at 4:30 AM, Barney found time to volunteer as a Scout Master for his sons’ Boy Scout troops, and to coach their little league baseball teams. Indeed, those who knew him well appreciated that Barney was always the first to offer his time or help when a friend or family needed him!

After selling his businesses in the 80’s, Barney began a second career as a Deli Training Expert for Boar’s Head Provisions, the nation’s premium brand of deli meats, where he earned the respect and affection of colleagues and clients alike and even appeared in a nationally televised commercial, cementing his status as an icon of the NY deli-world. Beyond his business success, Barney was a man of many passions.

He realized many of childhood dreams, going on horseback safaris in Tanzania, Portugal, Colorado, and Wyoming and multiple rafting trips on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. After becoming a licensed pilot in his 50’s, he spent every Saturday for 20 years, at the controls of a single engine Cessna out of Republic Airport on Long Island. He was also a talented artist throughout his entire life, leaving his family with over 70 original paintings, which doesn’t even include the hundreds of sketches, drawings, cartoons, holiday cards and characters painted on rocks. His artistic talents also extended to music, where he enjoyed playing guitar, harmonica, and ukulele. As a fierce athlete, Barney completed the New York City marathon several times.

Above all, Barney was a dreamer with the drive and dedication to make his dreams reality. On his first date with Rosalie, he predicted that they would marry (Rosalie told him he was crazy…). He cherished, above all others, this dream of a life together and his marriage to Rosalie, built on their intense love, her unwaivable grace, and their mutual support, which served as the foundation of an incredible and long life together.

For those privileged to have known and loved him, Barney leaves a legacy not only of accomplishment, but of inspiration as well. We will always remember his initiative, work ethic, artistry, affection and generosity, but it is his unwavering belief in the power of dreams and the will to make them come true that will serve as his lasting inspiration.

Mass of Christian Burial Saturday February 8, 2025 10:30 AM Immaculate Conception Church Winterhill Road Tuckahoe NY.