Frank A. Rota

Frank Adam Rota passed away at the age of 94 on Thursday, September 28th at St. Clair Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A long-time resident of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, Frank is survived by his daughter Jennifer Austin, Granddaughter Cara Day, Great-Granddaughter Ella Day, and long-time partner Margaret McNaughton. Frank was born in Brooklyn on August 21, 1929, to Mother Carmela Panarese Rota and Father Luigi Rota. He had one brother, Michael Rota who died at the young age of two while crossing the Atlantic to visit his father’s family in Italy. In his youth, Frank excelled at Track and Field, and his love for long distance running would eventually feed into his passion for walking. Following the path of his uncles, Frank joined the Army in 1950, where he liked to say his success as Drill Sergeant of Battery C 84th Field Artillery Battalion at Fort Dix was owed to his upbringing. Deciding against career in the Army, Frank returned to New York City and found himself in the Radio Room at the Waldorf Astoria. There, Frank’s great passion for hotels and hospitality was born and he quickly found his passion in hotels. Frank’s hospitality career also fed his need to explore, and after successfully opening the New York Hilton in 1969, he managed hotels and properties in New Jersey, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, California, and New York.  His last hotel of his career was The Holiday Inn on Fort Couch Road and after retiring, he settled at the Chanteclair Condiminiums in Bethel Park.  Family and Friends are welcome Sunday, (October 1) 2- 4 & 6-8 pm at FREYVOGEL-SLATER FUNERAL DIRECTORS, 112 Fort Couch Rd., Bethel Park (Across from Macy’s South Hills Village). Mass of Christian Burial, Monday, (October 2) 10am in St. Thomas More Church, Resurrection Parish. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery.

Slater Funeral - Home Page