Komo L. Tane
Komo L. Tane, 95, passed away peacefully with family by his side on his 95th birthday during a brief hospital stay. He was blessed to live his final years on his terms in his own home; which was made possible under the watchful care and daily assistance from his daughter, Linda, and son-in-law, Bob.
Amazingly, Komo kept physically active, often taking walks around Lakewood, NY and working in his yard up until his last few days of life earning him the nickname “Jack LaLanne”. Forever the coach, Komo called his last audible play: a birthday gift like no other – to be reborn on his birthday!
Born in a small village on a mountain in Arrez, Albania, he immigrated to the United States as a young boy with his family and they moved to Jamestown, NY shortly thereafter.
Komo was truly a self-made man with an extraordinarily strong work ethic. Striving to gain higher education, he hitchhiked to enroll in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he earned letters playing on the freshman baseball and football teams. He also worked while attending college until he was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War.
Serving as a medic with a tank battalion he earned a Koren Medal in 1953, as well as national recognition: receiving two Bronze Stars, a Presidential citation in 1954, a United States Service Medal, and a National Defense Service Medal. Komo had a deep love of country, and it was his honor to serve it! Especially during his retirement years, Komo proudly wore his Korean War Veteran cap wherever he went.
Upon honorable discharge, Komo returned to UIUC where he met his first wife Barbara Orr and eventually graduated in 1956 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He returned to Jamestown after getting married and became a pillar of the sports community. Years later, Komo obtained a Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration from St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, NY and became the Athletic Director for the Jamestown Public Schools.
Left to cherish Komo’s memory are sister, Sophie “Barbara” (Tane) Poplos of Westerville, Ohio. Daughters, Kimberly (Mark) Johnson of Virginia Beach, VA and Linda (Bob) Ostrom of Jamestown, NY; stepchildren, Melinda Nunn of Cibiolo, Texas and Steve Moreen of Jamestown, NY; grandchildren, Erik Eckstrand, Drew (Alissa) Rinaldo, Brett (Kali) Rinaldo, Troy (Cady) Rinaldo; step-granchil- dren, Chantelle Moreen; Noelle (James) Swanson; Melissa (Michael) Kaye; Robert (Lisa) Ostrom; Michael (Sara), Rinaldo; and Eric (Tonja), Rinaldo; great-grandchildren, Ethan Eckstrand, Gianna, Blakely, Benjamin, Stella, and Jack Rinaldo; step- great-grandchildren, Gwen, Jeremy, Joshua, Jacob, Georgia Swanson; Lily, Quinn, Kaye, Rhea and Wyatt Ostrom; Dominic, Sebastian, Brody and Lucas Rinaldo. Plus, many nieces, nephews and their families who loved him dearly.
Komo was preceded in death by his parents, Ligor Llazo and Andromachi (Zheku) Tane; brothers and their wives: Vangel (Rosalie) Tane and Terry (Karen) Tane; his first wife, Barbara (Orr) Tane D’Angelo; his high school sweetheart and second wife, Marilyn (Moreen) Tane; step-grandson, Jarrett Nunn; and step-granddaughter, Elisabeth Ostrom.
Out of respect for Komo’s wishes, there will be no visitation, and a family only graveside service will be held at Soldiers Grove, Lakeview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to benefit the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame, the Lakewood Fire Department, or our local Special Olympics.
Arrangements entrusted to Riccardi’s Hubert Funeral Home.
To view photos and read more about Komo’s vast accomplishments as an athlete, coach, athletic director, and founding member of the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame go to: https://www.chautauquasportshalloffame.org/komotane.php.
If you would like to leave a message or memory for the family, you can go to: www.hubertfuneralhome.com.