Salvatore "Sam" Coffa, AM, JP (born 15 January 1936) is an Australian former weightlifter[1] and long-time sporting administrator.
[citation needed] He then represented Australia at the 1954 World Championships in Perth; then at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games; and the 1964 Summer Olympics.
[citation needed] Coffa has served Australia for more than 40 years as an athlete and sports administrator, particularly as an Executive Board Member, Commonwealth Games Federation.
Shortly after arriving in Australia, Sam had joined the Hawthorn City Band, which was his entrée into a life of serving the community.
Sam was also the driving force behind the establishment of the new million dollar Hawthorn Community Recreation Centre situated beside the Glenferrie Oval and as Mayor of the City of Hawthorn, and Club Secretary, he presided over the official opening ceremony by the Governor of Victoria, Sir Henry Winneke in November, 1979.
Both Marjorie (deceased) and Sam Coffa are Honorary Life members of the Hawthorn Citizens Youth Club.
[citation needed] Coffa became an Australian citizen in 1959, and his naturalisation (now citizenship) certificate is dated 12 October 1959.
[11] Marjorie Edith Lamb had known Sam for some years prior to their marriage in 1959, at the Immaculate Conception Church , Hawthorn.