Obituary of Samuel S. Tiano

After traveling a long road, Samuel S. Tiano 94, gave up the good fight and passed away Saturday, September 6, after a life well lived.  He leaves behind his daughter Tina Tiano of Stow, his daughter-in-law Tina Turcotte Tiano of Cuyahoga Falls, his pup Gino and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Mary Elizabeth Tiano in 1992, his son Steven S Tiano in 2004, his parents Antonio & Cerina Tiano as well as 9 brothers and sisters. Sam was born to Italian immigrant parents in the small coal mining town of Gypsy, West Virginia on Dec 17, 1919.  He spent his formative years growing up in Haywood, West Virginia and attended Lumberport High School, where he played basketball and was quarterback and captain of the football team. He was the first of his family to go to college and graduated from West Virginia University with a B.S. in Business Administration. He eloped and married his high school sweetheart Mary Secreto on leap year Feb 29, 1944. They would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this year. He worked at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in the International Division as a tax specialist, insurance administrator and finance manager for 42 years. His accomplishments included establishing a Panama branch of Goodyear in Colon in 1952 and an export office in Panama City in 1957. He also worked in Buenos Aires, Argentina as a Finance Director for two years and was based in Milan, Italy for 3 years where he established 5 branch offices throughout the country. In 1982 he worked as a loan executive for the United Way campaign and was commended for his success.  He also established Goodyear’s 401k program prior to his retirement and was nominated for Goodyear’s Spirit Award. Mr. Tiano was extremely active in the community having served as President of the Stow-Munroe Falls Kiwanis Club, President of the Sons of Italy and President of the Munroe Falls Lions Club, where he was named Lion of the Year in 1982. He also served as President of the Stow Players for two years where he acted and directed numerous plays. His direction of “The Odd Couple” won several awards.  Sam’s love of acting also led him to star in several Weathervane and Goodyear Theater productions thru the years.  Mr. Tiano was also a long-time member of Holy Family Parish. Sam was an avid sports fan and loved watching Notre Dame and West Virginia Mountaineer football. He was also a diehard Browns and Indians fan and attended the 1948 World Series. He loved to travel, and in addition to his Goodyear postings, traveled extensively with his family on trips to Europe, the Far East, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Central and South America. His trips to the region of Italy where his family was from and a visit to the Normandy Beaches a few years ago, were highlights for him. His greatest accomplishment of all was his family. He was a wonderful husband, brother, uncle and above all, the quintessential dad. He was generous, supportive and loving, and created a warm and nurturing family circle where all were welcomed. He will be missed more than words can express. Friends are invited to Redmon Funeral Home for visitation Wednesday, 6-8 p.m., where service will be held Thursday, 10:30 a.m.  Burial Stow Cemetery.  Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the United Way.