Robert W. Mott

Robert W. (Buzzy) Mott, a member of East Hampton High School’s class of 1967, and the survivor of a traumatic brain injury in 1985, died just before midnight on Dec. 8, succumbing to complications of pneumonia at the Richmond University Medical Center on Staten Island. He had never fully recovered from the 1985 accident and had been institutionalized since then. He was 66 years old.

Born to Harry L. Mott and the former Nancy Blaka in Stafford Springs, Conn., on Aug. 22, 1948, he grew up in Springs and Amagansett. After graduating high school, he served in the Army for four years, two of them in Germany.

When he returned, he married an East Hampton woman, the former Michelle Libert, in January 1973. The couple had two children, Christopher Mott, now of Venice, Fla., and Shelly Mott Fisher, now of Sarasota, Fla. The marriage ended in divorce.

Mr. Mott loved photography and music, and played organ in a band called the Apostles during the 1970s, with many devoted fans, said his sister, June Bubka of East Hampton.

Brad Beyer, a friend and fellow musician, said yesterday that Mr. Mott was always in a good band. He was self-taught, playing the drums, guitar, and eventually a Hammond organ. “He would tear it up,” Mr. Beyer said about Mr. Mott’s playing.

Mr. Mott worked for the Town of East Hampton, Shaw Aero Services, and Nardy Pest Control in the 1980s.

One of his favorite recreational pursuits was bike riding. “He would ride from Greenport to Montauk,” Mr. Beyer said. In July of 1985, while riding his bicycle in Southampton, he collided with a car. He was in a coma for four and a half months before regaining consciousness. Since then he had lived in nine different care-giving and rehabilitation institutions. His sister, June Bubka, took charge of his care, along with her husband, Tom Bubka, for the next 30 years.

Despite his physical troubles over the years, Mr. Beyer said, Mr. Mott never lost his upbeat sense of humor. 

Besides his children, his sister, and his brother-in-law, he is also survived by his father, who lives in Fort Lauderdale; his niece, Jennifer Bubka of Brooklyn, and four grandchildren. 

Mr. Mott was cremated. A graveside service at Green River Cemetery in Springs is planned for the spring.

The family has suggested donations to the Amagansett Presbyterian Church's Scoville Hall Restoration Fund, P.O. Box 764, Amagansett 11930.