Salvatore Leonardo (Sam) Rota
March 21, 1924 ~ April 11, 2015
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Sam, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Sam was a WWII veteran, serving on the Prince Henry, a troopship involved in transporting men to the beaches of Normandy for the D-Day invasion. After the war, Sam trained as an electrician in Calgary and began his career with West Kootenay Power and Light working his way up to Supervisor for the Kaslo District.
Sam was an involved community member. He was the Chairman of the Kaslo Hospital Board and was instrumental in getting the new hospital built in the early 1970s. He served as Alderman on the Village of Kaslo Council.
Sam had many varied interests. He was a founding member of the Creston Boxing Club. He was an avid fisherman with his family and friends. Music was his passion and he played guitar, mandolin and saxophone. He enjoyed playing at dances and family gatherings. Sam loved all sports, especially Major League Baseball.
He valued his family, friendship, hard work, education and being a responsible citizen and community member. His dream of retiring in the beautiful Creston Valley came true in 1985 and he enjoyed many years of raising Herefords and having coffee every morning with his buddies at the local coffee shop.He leaves behind his loving wife of 63 years, Margaret; his children: Debbie (Ken), Gloria (Eckart); Mark, Sharon (Ken), Jim and Connie.
Sam was predeceased by his son Gregory; parents Antonio and Antonietta; siblings Rosie, Frank, Ralph, Robert, Victor, Louie and Guido; in-laws Titus, Aldina, Joyce, Agnes, Fred and Verna.
His grandchildren will miss their “cool” grandpa. Much love from Derek (Jenn), James (Leah), Kathleen (Leigh), Greg (Katie), Kevin (Shelley), Erika (Alex) Ryan (Jordi), Lauren (Matt), Heather, Angele (Drummond), Colette, Sheldon; and great-grandchildren Chloe, Adam and Tyson. Sam will be missed by his sisters Lucy (Art), Olga, Mary (Silvano); brother Ricky; sisters-in-law Muriel and Barbara; and his many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Many thanks to everyone at Swan Valley Lodge for their many years of taking care of Sam. It was very much appreciated by our entire family. Thanks to Dr. Tim Troughton for caring for Dad as his physician.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Swan Valley Lodge Equipment Fund – Recreation Dept.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.