Thayer R. Potter

Former owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins, beloved husband and father, died peacefully In his sleep, Friday, Jan. 11, 2013, at Seneca Place in Penn Hills. Born Feb. 19, 1933, Tad lived life to the fullest, carefree and without pretense. His gifts and love for laughter and camaraderie with friends and family were legendary. He grew up in Edgewood, the second of five sons to William and Katharine Potter. His early days were full of adventure, and he became a three-sport athlete at Edgewood High School. However, misbehavior and poor grades quickly punched his ticket to Valley Forge Military Academy In Wayne. Free from any and all distractions, Tad cleaned up his academic act and graduated with honors. From there he enrolled at Pennsylvania State University, where he immediately re-established his wisecracking and mischievous ways. Fortunately, he met the girl of his dreams, Jean Kutz, and they fell in love on a fire escape in Philadelphia. They married June 18,1955, in Harrisburg, and moved to Newport, RI, then to Norfolk, VA, as Tad served as a reserve officer in the Navy. In Norfolk, the first of their three children, Katharine, was born, and Thayer Jr. and Kristin followed shortly thereafter. Tad and family returned to Pittsburgh upon completion of his naval tour, and he quickly achieved notoriety within the community by being the first man to greet Bill Mazeroski at home plate after his game-winning home run for the Pirates in the 1960 World Series. He grew a passion for hockey and the hometown Penguins, so much that he formed a partnership and purchased the team in 1971 in order to keep the franchise in the city that he loved. The fortunes of the team improved, and the Penguins rose to elite status in the National Hockey League by 1975. Alas, financial difficulties within the partnership and a salary war with the upstart World Hockey Association forced the sale of the team in 1976. However, Tad's biggest passion of all, aside from his family, were his annual fly fishing excursions with friends to the Boulder River Ranch in Montana - the man simply loved to walk, talk and think about fly fishing day and night! Tad then became immersed in the local energy business, forming Kitspaw Fuel, a coal brokerage service and then moving on to site evaluation and development for O'Brien Energy of Philadelphia. Upon retirement. Tad and Jean traveled around the world, making friends and enjoying life. Tad developed a deep love for the Italian way of life and cuisine, and there's a good chance that he might return as one in his next life! In his later years, Tad developed a love for painting and produced some fine works of art that grace the walls of their Mt. Washington home. Through all of his diverse ventures and life experiences, Tad stayed true to his core values; true and lasting love for family and friends, respect and kindness for all he encountered, and living life to its maximum each and every day of his 79 years. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Jean; daughters, Katharine and Kristin: son, Thayer Jr.; grandchildren, Peter, Callie, Addie, Katharine, Thayer III, Samuel, Mollie and Annie; brothers, WIlliam, Thomas, George, and Larry; and numerous nephews and nieces. Friends will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14, 2013, at WM. SLATER & SONS INC., 301 Virginia Ave., Mt. Washington, PA 15211, 412-381-3345. A Memorial Service will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013, at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238. A reception will follow at the Fox Chapel Racquet Club, 355 Hunt Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238. Memorial contributions may be donated in Tad's name to the Pennsylvania State University General Scholarship Fund, One Old Main, University Park, PA 16802