Samuel W. Cota

Cota

Samuel W.

Age 91 of South Park, passed into the arms of Jesus on October 8, 2016.  He was born on August 31, 1925 in Monominee, MI, son of Samuel and Augusta (Schacht) Cota and the devoted and loving husband of Bernice.  He is survived by his daughters, Julie (Richard) Mrenak and Cheryl (James) Snead; grandchildren, Bonnie (John) Varney and David (Ann) Paull and great-grandsons, Zachary Paull and John Varney.  Sam has one surviving sister, Doris (Clarence) Engel of Peshtigo, WI.  He was preceded in death by three brothers.

                After high school graduation, he enlisted in the Army and served in the 86th Infantry Division in Europe and the Southwest Pacific during World War II.  Subsequently he graduated from Michigan Tech with a BS in electrical engineering and then married his college sweetheart, Bernice.

                His first job was with Standard Oil of Ohio.  He assisted in the design, construction and start-up of a “big-inch” crude oil pumping station in MS.  Sam began working at Westinghouse Bettis Atomic Power Lab in 1951 and later earned a MS in mechanical engineering from CMU.  At Bettis he designed and managed many of their testing facilities for 37 years.

                Sam loved to teach Sunday school and served on church council for many years at his beloved church.  He was an avid gardener and landscaper in his spare time and loved ballroom dancing.  He spent many summer vacations in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of MI, where he and Bernice maintained a mobile home.

                He will be remembered for his devotion to his Lord and Savior, and his wonderful family.  Sam’s family will welcome friends on Tuesday, from 2-4 & 6-8 pm at Paul L. Henney Memorial Chapel, 5570 Library Rd. Bethel Park.  Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, 1 pm, at Ruthfred Lutheran Church in Bethel Park.  Rev. Steven Carlson and Adam Osier officiating.  Burial in Jefferson Memorial Park will be private.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in his name to the Ruthfred Lutheran Church Pastor’s Fund, 3401 South Park Rd. Bethel Park, PA 15102.

www.henneyfuneralhome.com

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