Samuel B. Muscatello

Samuel B. Muscatello, 63, of Baton Rouge, La., formerly of North Washington, passed away March 16 at his home.

Born March 20, 1953, in Butler, Sam was the son of the late Joyce E. Muscatello and Carl G. Muscatello Beverly of Ormond Beach, Fla.

Sam was Catholic and attended St. Louis King of France Catholic Church. He was a graduate of Slippery Rock University.

Sam taught public school in Houston, Texas, and Santa Fe, N.M., and he was an administrator for the Austin Independent School District in Austin, Texas.

Sam received a heart transplant at the University of Texas on his birthday, March 20, 2004. He became an avid supporter and volunteer of the American Heart Association and the Louisiana Organ Procurement Association. His goal was to be the oldest living heart transplant recipient.

He is survived by his wife, Karen, who he married in 2004; his dog, Ozzie; his sisters, Carla Lowrie and her companion, Carl Reep, of Petrolia and Shelby (David) Hibbard of Butler; his brother, Tom Muscatello and his companion, Mim Terwint, of Chicora; and his half brother, Nicholas Muscatello of Ormond Beach, Fla.

Also surviving are his uncles, Bill and Bob Slater of Karns City; his aunt, Mary Beatty of Butler; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Sam was preceded in death by his mother, Joyce Muscatello; his aunts, Wilma Schnell and Betty Hartnett; his uncles, Bruno Muscatello, Bob Hartnett and John Fecich; and his grandparents, Sam and Lisa Muscatello and Martha and Paul Slater.

MUSCATELLO — A local memorial service for Samuel B. Muscatello, who died Thursday, March 16, 2017, will be conducted privately later for family members.