Mr. Henryk Lota

World War II Veteran

Statesboro, GA

Mr. Henryk Lota, age 91, died peacefully at home on Saturday morning, October 30th. He was born in Kielce, Poland on October 15, 1919. He was a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to many. He is preceded in death by his wife, Stana Spolnik Lota, and his four siblings.

He graduated from high school in 1938 in Poland, and after World War II he attended London University and received his degree in Textile Engineering. He worked in management at several textile firms in England, Puerto Rico and the USA. He and his family immigrated to the United States in 1955.

During his interim years between high school and college, he served in the Polish Army during World War II. He fought in Poland, Italy, Iran, Iraq, Palestine, and Egypt. He fought in conjunction with the British 8th Army and participated in the Italian campaign. He was captured by the Russians and spent time in several concentration camps in Poland and Moscow as well as a POW camp in Siberia. He witnessed and experienced the worst that humanity has to offer during those years.

He was a faithful parishioner of St. Matthew Catholic Church and often led the rosary prior to weekday mass and occasionally served as lector. His church and prayer life were very important to him. He was an exceptionally talented chess player, a painter of landscapes, a lover of history, and an avid soccer and tennis fan. He regularly enjoyed playing chess with friends and strangers at the library. He especially enjoyed meeting with the Mac-Pac in the mornings and saying the rosary and going to mass at noon.

He is survived by a son, Alex (Carolyn) Lota; three grandchildren, Patrick (Jane) Lota of Norcross, Alison L. (Jonathan) Tanner of Savannah, and Jonathan Lota of Atlanta; one great-grandchild, Jacob Tanner of Savannah; and a nephew, Henryk Piwar of Katowsce, Poland.

The family received friends from 6 to 7 p.m. at Hodges Moore Funeral Home followed by a rosary service at 7 p.m. on Monday.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday at 11 a.m. at St. Matthew Catholic Church with Father Tim McKeown officiating.

Burial will be held Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Savannah, GA.

Remembrances may be made to St. Matthew Catholic Church, 221 John Paul Avenue, Statesboro, GA 30458-5073.

Please visit our online memorial at www.hodgesmoore.com to sign the guestbook and to share your thoughts and fond memories with the Lota family.

Hodges-Moore Funeral Home of Statesboro is in charge of the arrangements.