Sept. 6, 1937 – Jan. 2, 2014
Died: Jan 2, 2014
Samuel E. Loliger
LOLIGER- Samuel E.
Samuel E. Loliger, age 76 passed away peacefully at 10:15 AM on Thursday January 2, 2014 at the Wells Campus of Hospice Buffalo at Beechwood Continuing Care after a long illness.
Samuel was born on September 6, 1937 in Canton Ohio. (Stark County)
He was the son of the late Samuel Loliger and Lydia (nee:Witschi).
His father was a mill worker and his mother was a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University.
Sam graduated from Heidelberg College in 1959 with a major in social studies education.
In 1964 he began teaching at Niagara County Community College.
He earned his masters degree in sociology from the University at Buffalo and subsequently taught sociology courses at Niagara County Community College, including the introductory course, courses in social problems, industrial relations, marriage and family, and sex roles.
He helped develop an intergrated course called Experiencing the Liberal Arts, later co-teaching and administrating it. He also co-taught classes in the English department which included a class on nonverbal communication.
Sam retired from Niagara County Community College in 1999.
Sam was elected to the Coordinating Council of the United Church of Christ's
Gay Caucus. Sam served as one of the national co-ordinators of the UCC Coalition for Lesbian & Gay Concerns from 1984-1997.
Sam's proudest achievements in Coalition leadership were insisting upon diversity and inclusivness in the coalition and establishing a new and different relationship with the UCC national offices. Sam was an active layperson in the UCC at Association, Conference and National levels by election to boards and councils, working groups, task forces, ad hoc committees and served as chair of the UCC's Affirmative Action Council for many years.
He was elected conference delegate to the 1983 and 1985 General Synods.
Sam was active in local and regional initiatives for LGBT and broader human rights.
He served as co-convener of the Affirmative Action Committee at his college of employment. That group developed a policy prohibiting discrimination based upon sexual orientation before it was adopted in the whole SUNY system.
He served as advisor to the LGBT student/staff group and MASH (Make Aware and Serve the Handicapped) at Niagara County Community College.
Locally Sam served on the New York State Division of Human Rights Advisory Board and held different leadership positions with H.O.M.E (Housing Opportunities Made Equal), a Western New York Agency promoting non-discrimination in housing.
Sam met his partner, Donald M. Behr in 1976 and they were married on October 1, 2012.
They enjoyed opera, theater, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and classical music.
He served on the board of directors of Opera Buffs of Western New York in various capacities. Sam loved to read, especially fiction and history. He also enjoyed doing crossword puzzles. Sam was proud to be an advocate for social justice issues.
He was a member of the Riverside-Salem United Church of Christ on Grand Island.
He also attended the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo.
In addition to his husband, Donald M. Behr, Sam is survived by his sons; Brian (Donna) Loliger of Wheatfield, Jeffrey Loliger of Niagara Falls and Scott (Donna) Loliger of North Tonawanda, step-daughter Susan (nee: Behr) (Anthony) Langone of Nashville, TN and step-son Peter (Jodi) Behr of Louisville, KY. two sisters; Ruth (Jerry) Volk of Dunnellon, Florida and Martha (Robert) Alexander of Kernersville, NC; his daughter-in-law; Gretchen Hoak of Cheektowaga.
He was the grandfather of four and step grandfather of four.
Sam is also survived by his large extended family and friends.
Family and Friends are invited to attend Sam's Memorial Service on Sunday, January 12, 2014 at 2:30 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo, 695 Elmwood Avenue @ West Ferry. In accordance with his wishes there will be no calling hours.
To honor Sam, kindly consider a memorial donation to H.O.M.E 1542 Main Street Buffalo New York 14209 or UCC Coalition (LGBT Concerns) 700 Prospect Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44115. On the memo line of your check, please write "memory of Samuel E. Loliger"
Please leave a message of condolence and/or share a favorite memory of Sam.
All messages will be placed in the families Book of Memories.
For information or directions, please call the Funeral Home.
Sam's Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the Kevin M. Mason Funeral Home 154 Weimar Street Buffalo New York 14206.
Website address is:
www.kevinmmasonfuneralhome.com