Samuel J. DePiero

Age 94, on Friday, May 26, 2017, after a long illness, at Asbury Heights in Mt. Lebanon where he had resided since May 8, 2017. Beloved husband of Elizabeth (Liz) DePiero.  Born March 12, 1923 in Glassport, PA he was the son of Italian immigrants Peter and Adela (Talamonto) DePiero and was one of eight children. Born with congenital cataracts he attended the Western PA School for Blind Children until 10th grade where, along with academics, he learned to tune pianos and cane chairs. He completed his final two years and graduated from Glassport HS in 1945. He was a 1949 graduate from the University of Pittsburgh and married Virginia Wolozyn the same year. That marriage ended in divorce in 1962; he married Elizabeth Boyce in 1969. He first worked at Wallach’s Bookstore after college, later earning his Masters in Library Science from Pitt and became the Librarian/Science Teacher at the School for Blind Children, working there for 24 years. Sam was an avid reader, especially of Science Fiction and a huge Star Trek fan.  He was a Treasurer for Radio Information Services for the Blind and the Lions Club and volunteered for other charitable endeavors for the blind.  He sang tenor in St Paul’s Cathedral Choir for 25 years. Sam loved to bowl and was in a Blind Bowling League until last fall. He would often outscore the “younger” members in their early 80’s! Sam thoroughly enjoyed Jazz and Classical music, played the drums in his youth, and even the ukulele until he made the mistake of sitting on it!, Beloved husband of Elizabeth (Liz) DePiero; father of Theslee Joy (Paul Kimberly Ling, PhD) DePiero, MD, Celeste (Brent) Baxter and  Fred (Connie) DePiero, PhD; grandfather of Alexandra Ling, Jared Baxter and Grant Baxter. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by siblings Hilda Sgattone, Inez Olexik, Clara Preler, Mary Unger and Salvatore, Daniel and John DePiero. Visitation with the family will on Friday June 2nd from 6 to 8 at Laughlin Memorial Chapel, 222 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15216.  There will be a luncheon for Family and Friends on Saturday June 3rd to celebrate and remember Sam’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his name to: Mt. Lebanon Lions Club -222 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15216,  Golden Triangle Council of the Blind  - 3253 Waltham Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15216 or Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children – 201 N Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.

 Service Information