PORTVILLE - Christian Joseph Speta, of Prosser Road, Portville, passed away Wednesday (Feb. 15, 2017) at Olean General Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on May 11, 1992, in Olean, he was a son of Christopher and Tamara Laird Speta.
Christian was a graduate of Portville Central School and served as National Honor Society president for two years, Student Council president for five years, Drama Club president for six years and member of the Interact Club for four years. He was a member of the Cattaraugus County Government Intern Program and a member of Olean Youth Court for four years, and he was selected to the New York American Legion Boys State. He also participated in many fundraising and other community service events during high school.
Christian earned the Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award from the University of Rochester and was a recipient of the Cattaraugus County Youth Bureau's Youth Citizenship Award. His community service includes volunteering at nursing homes for three years, helping with Special Olympics events and volunteering as a peer tutor.
His other interests included music, theater, government and collecting trolls.
Surviving are his mother, Tammie; his father, Christopher; his godfather, Papa Joseph Schlenker; six brothers and sisters, Shellie Hint of Fort Campbell, Ky., Lacy Hint of Friendship, Jacob Hint of Belmont, Jessica Hint of Arizona, Joshua Hint of Friendship and Brad Hint of Arizona; his paternal grandmother, Jane Speta of Cuba; and his aunts and uncles.
He was predeceased by his paternal grandfather, Ralph Speta; and his maternal grandparents, Ronald Laird and Bonnie Harmon.
Family will receive friends, from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Guenther Funeral Home Inc., 51 S. Main St., Portville.
Memorials may be made to Olean Community Theatre or the Portville High School Drama Club.
