Salvatore (Sam) Bellotte of Tarpon Springs, FL passed away peacefully at the age of 91.

Born in Clarksburg, West Virginia in 1929, to Rosella and Anthony Bellotte, Sam was a true Mountaineer at heart and having grown up during the great depression and serving in the Marine Corp, he was as tough as they come.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mary Theresa Vallonga Bellotte and his children David (Lisa) and Rosemary (Rick). He is preceded by his two children Sam Anthony and John (Corinna). His surviving grandchildren Jennifer, Matthew, Tabitha, Ricky, Nicole, and John Evan Including his great-grandchildren John Anthony, Christian, Sofia, Isabella, Lucas, and Ava.

He is preceded by his parents Anthony & Rosella Bellotte and siblings Louie, Anna and Tony. Sam’s surviving siblings include Joe, Mac, Jerry, and Rosalie Bellotte Hamrick of West Virginia.

At the age of 14, he and his brothers would work at the golf course for pennies a day contributing all his wages to help his mother following the passing of his father leaving behind 8 children.

Sam was proud to have served his country as a (ranking) Marine from the end of WW2 to the beginning of the Korean War. During his tenure as a Marine, Sam had the honor of guarding high ranking Japanese war criminals. He was honorably discharged.

After his time in the military, Sam met the love of his life, Mary. It took two words “Hey Beautiful” for her to know that he would be her forever. And after the fourth try, she finally agreed to spend time with him. Shortly after, they married, welcomed their first child together, and a second child soon after that.

Sam later moved to Tarpon Springs, FL in 1959 from Clarksburg, West Virginia ahead of his family to secure work and a home for his family. He bought a house near the beach for his wife and two boys. He then welcomed two more children. Sam found a job in Dunedin at HP hoods which later became Coke Cola. He retired with Coke Cola after 33 years.

During his time in Tarpon Springs, Sam made a life for his family. Little did he know at the time that he was creating a legacy for his family in this small little town.

Sam was a big part of the Tarpon Springs community by helping create the very first baseball little league for his sons. He was also a long standing dedicated member of the Catholic Church.

His family had grown throughout the years with four children, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Ensuring every birthday, anniversary and holiday were spent together. Family is the center of who he encompassed. He was proud of the fact that it all started with just 2 people in love and enjoyed telling this story time and time again.

Sam was a fun-loving guy who was incredibly stubborn but had a soft heart. You can always rely on him to holler at his wife to get going home for his favorite chair because he was missing his westerns.

Sam has gained his wings and is no longer suffering. He is finally reunited with his two sons. Sam will forever be in our hearts.