Sam Salvatore "Coach" Rotella, 90, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2014. Sam was the son of the late Salvatore and Mary (Paonessa) Rotella.

Sam was born and raised in Niagara Falls, NY and attended Niagara Falls High. In 1943 he enlisted in the United Stated Marine Corp and served his country during World War II in the South Pacific on the islands of Iwo Jima, Tinian and Saipan.

Sam dedicated his life to the education and well-being of children and young adults. He attended Springfield College on the GI Bill where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education. In 1963 he earned a Master's of Science in Education from Niagara University. He began his career in Gowanda but spent the majority of his teaching years in the Niagara Falls School System, most notably at Niagara Falls High School where he taught physical education, drivers' education and health. In 2002 he was awarded a certificate of appreciation from the Springfield College Golden Triangle Society for more than 50 years of Alumni Loyalty.

He was an avid athlete who spent most of his teaching years coaching basketball. He began his career as Junior Varsity Coach under Barnard "Doc" Parsons at Niagara Falls High School. He was varsity coach at LaSalle High School before beginning his 21-year run as coach of the Niagara Falls Power Cats. During his tenure, the Power Cats reached the sectional playoffs 5 times and won the title twice. In 1974 he coached them to a 21 and 0 season. He perfected the fast break but was best known by family and friends for his involvement with his players. He was quoted as saying that he was "parent, teacher, coach and disciplinarian". In the end he felt that his biggest successes were not about his win/loss record but about the contribution he made in the future of his players. It was not uncommon to find members of his team around the family dinner table where they enjoyed "Assistant Coach" Dee Rotella's Italian cooking on many occasions. In 1977 he was presented with the Niagara Frontier Cornerstone Award in appreciation for his outstanding contributions to the building of interscholastic athletics in the Niagara Frontier League. In 2002 he was inducted into the Niagara Falls High School Sportsman Hall of Fame.

When not coaching he was teaching driver education and perfecting his Safe Break Technique for driver safety. This technique is still taught to students in the Niagara Falls Schools today. It is rare to travel throughout the city without running into someone who Sam taught to drive. "Cover your brake at all intersections and in areas where children might be walking or at play," still rings in the ears of those he tutored. His advocacy for safe driving techniques was so well known that when he retired from teaching he was hired by the Niagara County Sheriff's Department to be their Driver Safety Coordinator. He was also retained by the State Department of Motor Vehicles to Teach the State Mandated Defensive Driving Course.

Sam had boundless energy and a zest for living that was incomparable. One of his favorite pastimes was to be with family and friends in the backyard teaching yet another family member to swim…and enjoy a perfectly grilled steak on the side. He cherished his moments with his grandchildren, teaching them to ride bikes, roller skate, swim and the joy of living a full and productive life. There was never a dull moment when Papa was around.

Sam was predeceased by his wife and companion of 65 years, Aldene (Sdao) and 4 sisters and one brother. He is survived by his children Sam (Priscilla) Rotella, Sandra (Jim Keough) and Kathy Marie (Ed Delorme), a sister, Mary (Rotella) Cristelli and brother Marshall Rotella. He was blessed with 4 grandchildren Kimberlie (Rotella) Marco, Heather (Keough) Champion, Brian Rotella and Nathan Keough. He has 3 great grandchildren, Amanda, Andrew and Allyssa Marco.

Visitation will be on Sunday from 6 – 8:30PM at M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL 2730 MILITARY ROAD NIAGARA FALLS, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday February 17 ^th at 10:00 AM at St. Vincent de Paul Parish at St Leo's Church, 2748 Military Rd. Niagara Falls, NY. EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. Entombment with military honors will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston, NY. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Hospice by the Sea in Boca Raton, 1531 W Palmetto Park Rd. Boca Raton, FL 33486; Alzheimer's Association of WNY, 2805 Wehrle Dr. Ste. 6, Williamsville, NY 14221 or Niagara Falls Education Foundation Student Athlete Program, PO Box 595, Niagara Falls, NY 14302.