SOHO — International restaurateur Hector Rolotti was found dead Saturday in the Ganges River, six days after he went missing while trying to rescue another man from the river’s current, the company said.
Rolotti, 47, was a founding partner of Argentine restaurant chain Novecento, which has locations in SoHo and Miami.
According to a statement by the Novecento Group, Rolotti was on a 10-day spiritual meditation retreat with family and friends in India, when he heard a group member crying for help from the Ganges River.
Six men from the group, including Rolotti, jumped in to help. All but Rolotti returned, the statement said.
His body was found in the river Saturday by a group of locals who alerted authorities.
“We will keep in our hearts all memories of his infinite generosity, his deep sense of friendship and concern for all who were lucky enough to have been around him,” said the statement.
Rolotti is survived by a wife and three children, the statement said. His remains were expected to be cremated in India.