Alexander Shott

Alexander Shott, age 104, of Butler, died on October 7, 2022, after a short illness.

Alexander Shott was born in Aliquippa, PA on September 30, 1918 to Alex and Stella (Gregor) Shott.  The Shott family moved to Butler, Pennsylvania when Alexander was 2 years old.

Mr. Shott graduated from Butler Senior High School in 1937 and became the first member of his family to graduate high school.  That same year he was hired by Dr. Frank W. Preston to help with the construction of what later was to become Preston Laboratories in Meridian.  Dr. Preston gave him the nickname “Ike” which stuck with him for the rest of his life.    After Dr. Preston’s retirement, Preston Laboratories became American Glass Research and later AGR International.  Ike Shott continued to work with the company for a total of 46 years as a machinist.

In the 1950s Alex joined the Lyndora Volunteer Fire Company as a fire fighter and later a truck driver.  In order to provide funds for the fire company, they began the long tradition of Sunday Night Bingo at the fire hall.   Alex called bingo for decades.  Besides the Fire company, Alex also became involved in Butler Township Auxiliary Police unit and the Butler Township Civil Defense unit.   The Lyndora All Girl Drum and Bugle Corp was formed around this time and Alex was one of the early bus drivers for the group, driving the drum corps to various parade locations throughout the area.  

In the 1960s there were three local musical marching units for girls but there was no similar activity for boys.  After many years of prodding, the late Andrew Yaracs finally agreed to start a marching unit for boys, but he wanted help from other men to promote and support this new marching unit.  Leo Burgess and Alex Shott joined Andy and were the three original founders of the General Butler Vagabond Drum and Bugle Corp.   A short time later, William Brown and Dominic Virgallito joined the leadership.  The organization was formed in mid-winter and looked very promising, but they had no money to buy drums, flags, hats, uniforms let alone bugles.  In order to provide this seed money Yaracs, Burgess and Shott each signed a $500.00 personal note to a local bank to guarantee payment.  To help the new organization, the Lyndora Fire Company permitted the Vagabonds to use the building for practice sessions and to use the equipment no longer needed by the Lyndora unit.  Bugles were salvaged and restored by Mr. Yaracs.  By Memorial Day, the Vagabonds were a marching unit of approximately 50 young men.  The Vagabonds went on for many years and received national recognition.

Throughout his entire life, Alex was active in his church, Ss. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Lyndora.  Besides volunteering as choir director for decades, he taught Ukrainian Dancing to many of the churches in the western Pennsylvania area.  Alex helped with many church projects and fund-raising activities including the Pirohi sales and Holiday Baking projects.  He remained active in these projects well past his 101st birthday.  He also bowled for decades in several leagues and golfed in a league well into his 90s.

Throughout his many activities, Ike never forgot Dr. Preston for giving him his first job and a chance to work.   As the years went by, Ike always helped Doc and, after Doc’s passing, he helped Jane Preston manage the Meridian property.  When things broke, Alex was always on call to solve the problem.  Ike was the only one left alive who knew where everything was located and what everything did on the property.  He was instrumental with the transition to Preston Park.

Alexander “Ike” Shott is survived by one Daughter, Ruth Ann Dally, of Butler and one son, A. Robert Shott, also of Butler; one grandson, James R. (Tara) Dally and one granddaughter, Susan K. (John) Maleckar; three great grandsons and one great granddaughter: Joshua, Gregory, Nathan and Emily. 

Alexander was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Catherine Urnosky Shott, who died August 12, 1987.  He was also preceded in death by three brothers:  John Shott of Indiana, Michael Shott and Paul Shott of California, and one sister, Helen Furka of Phoenix, Arizona.

Private interment services were held at Rose Hill Cemetery, Butler, PA

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of Preston Park Foundation, 290 South Duffy Road, Butler, PA  16001.

Arrangements were by the Geibel Funeral Home, 201 East Cunningham, Street, Butler.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alexander Shott, please visit our floral store.