Bello

Samuel Michael Bello Jr. passed away Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, after a brief illness.

Sam was born on Oct. 16, 1945, in Butler, the son to Samuel Michael and Margaret Mary (McMahon) Bello.

In 1963, he left his beloved Pennsylvania and made his way to Northwest Ohio to attend Findlay College. It was there he met “the love of my life,” Marcia Cook, from Green Springs, Ohio. They married in 1966 and she survives, along with their son, Joseph (Ginger) Bello of Findlay; daughter, Maria (Louis) Chieffallo of Beaver Falls; his sister, Catherine (James) Swift of Butler; and seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his brother, George Bello.

Sam started his career as Ohio’s youngest head coach in wrestling and football at North Baltimore, and spent five decades producing winners in both sports. He helped nurture the Bluffton wrestling program. He guided the football team to back-to-back Northwest Conference football titles in 1974 and 1975. At Findlay High School, he taught math, assisted in football and was head wrestling coach for many years. He also coached defensive ends and outside linebackers on the University of Findlay’s national championship football teams in 1992 and 1995. He later coached Ben Roethlisberger at Findlay High School.

Beyond his accomplishments, nothing mattered more to Sam than his family; his children and grandchildren, his siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews, in-laws and shirttail relatives, everyone loved Sam. His great-grandchildren were the light of his retirement years. Kenzie and Max were the cherries on top a life well-lived. Life on Springlake is always better with children.

BELLO — Visitation for Samuel Michael Bello Jr., who died Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Friday, at Our Lady of Consolation in Carey, Ohio.

A Mass of Christian burial will be recited at the conclusion of the visitation at 11 a.m. by Father Thomas Merrill.

Sam will be interred at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Carey.

A celebration of life will also be held for Sam at a later date in his hometown of Butler.

The family requests the attendees please wear a mask for everyone’s protection.

Memorials may be made to Our Lady of Consolation Church, St. Jude’s Research Hospital, Wounded Warrior Project or Findlay City Mission.

COLDREN-CRATES FUNERAL HOME assisted the family with arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family at coldrencrates.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.