Obituary of Julio Basto

Julio Hernan ("Herman") Basto, 91, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 1, 2012 at Saint Clare's Dover General Hospital.Born in Merida, Mexico, Julio came to NYC through Ellis Island when he was 5 years old. He grew up in Manhattan, NY before moving to the Bronx, NY with his wife and children, before settling in Hopatcong over 48 years ago. A Class of 1948 graduate of Fordham University, he later earned a Masters degree from New York University. He began his career as a polymer organic research chemist first at a WWII defense plant working to develop rocket fuel for the military. Afterwards he did research at NYU before starting a long career at Benjamin Moore and Company before retiring in 1986. Following his retirement, he became a member of the International Executive Service Corp., a nonprofit organization that sends experts to third-world countries to give local companies technical advice. Julio provided technical expertise to companies located in the Philippines, Peru, Ukraine, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Egypt Thailand, and Mexico. His wife, Marie joined him on most of his travels and taught conversational English to different groups. For the past 26 years, Julio has also volunteered his time at Saint Clare's Dover campus contributing over 13,000 hours, many times working eight hour days, three days a week. As a volunteer, he has received numerous accolades from the hospital, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award from the hospital in 1995. Julio was involved with selling raffle tickets, transporting patients, delivering packages, organizing blood drives, and greeting and assisting patients. Julio started volunteering as an usher at church services located at the Hopatcong Hills Club House in 1949 where he and his family had a summer home. He assisted in fund raising to build St Jude's Church in Hopatcong during 1959-1960. When he and his family moved year round to Hopatcong in 1963, Julio ushered, parked cars, and counted the weekly collections. He continued serving the church until his passing. He was pre-deceased by his wife, Marie in 2006. He is survived by an older sister, Elda of Yonkers, NY; his daughter, Karen Leydon of Temecula, CA; and sons Louis Basto (and his wife, Judi) of Frelinghuysen, NJ; Peter Basto of Fredon, NJ; and David Basto (and his wife Arlene) of Goodyear, AZ. In addition, Julio leaves his granddaughters Karen Ann Leydon of San Diego, CA; and Julia Araujo (and her husband Brian); and a cherished great granddaughter, Sofia.