George Salata

George Salata, 102, of Johnstown, passed away on December 2, 2025 at Heritage Ridge Senior Living.  Born May 2, 1923 in Johnstown, son of Anna (Yanko) and John Salata. Preceded in death by parents, first wife, Katherine Salata, second wife, Ann M. (Bank) Salata (who he was married to for 30 yrs.) & sister, Helen Lehman. 

Survived by his loving family,  daughter, Rosanne (Bob) Cotchen, grandfather to Maria (Jason) Korns & Anthony J. Cotchen (Grace Rotar), great-grandchildren, Victoria Rae & Charles Aveni Korns.  Also survived by nieces, Mary Ann Kucenski & Carol Bell, Johnstown and Mary (John) Stright her daughters, Jeana, Ashley and Aimee Stright all of Virginia;  nephews, Vincent Corica (DeLynn), his daughters, Angel (Patrick), Nicole (Josh), MariClaire (JT) and Camille all of Georgia.  Robert Hiros of Alabama & Jim, Tom & Rick Lehman of Johnstown. 

George was an Army Veteran serving in European & Japan Theaters of WWII.  George was especially proud of being a Boy Scout where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout (Bronze & Gold Palm & Order of Arrow).  George worked for 42 yrs. as a Craneman for U.S. Steel.  He was a member of Knights of Columbus (#9136 & #0954), ISDA Lodge, Padre Pio Prayer Group, Retired Men’s Club (U.S. Steel), San Rocco Prayer Group & V.F.W. #155. He was a member of St. Clare of Assisi Church where he ushered for 25 yrs. 

Friends received on Friday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Frank Duca Funeral Home, Westmont Chapel, 1622 Menoher Blvd. prior to Funeral Mass. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, December 5, 2025 at 2:00 PM at St. Clare of Assisi, Father George M. Gulash. Interment St. Anthony Cemetery, Geistown. A Military Ritual will be conducted by Windber VFW Post 4795.

George’s final wish was to ride in the Veteran’s Day Parade on November 11, 2025 which we were able to fulfill with the help of Josh Hauser of the Veteran’s Community Initiatives.  A very special thank you to the entire staff at Heritage Ridge & Penn Hospice (Ruthie) for taking such good care of George during his time there. Per George’s request:  “For those of you who had no time for George during his lifetime, your name(s) were omitted from this obituary”… George loved telling jokes & they will be deeply missed.  He always said  “Laughter is the best medicine”.

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