Joseph Frank Tucci
June 30, 2013
Joseph Frank Tucci joined the love of his life, Lucille, in Heaven at the age of 88 on Sunday, June 30, 2013, at Ramsey Village Retirement Community in Des Moines, after a brief illness with congestive heart failure.
Joe was born on July 8, 1924, in Crucoli, Italy, to Dominic and Elisabeth (Scaglione) Tucci. After serving in the Italian Navy, at the age of 24 he left his homeland in southern Italy for the USA, with hopes and dreams for a bright future.
As his ship made the way into the New York Harbor, his first glimpse of America was the Statue of Liberty. Through the golden doors of Ellis Island to the railroad ticket office he was on his journey of reuniting with his father in Des Moines, Iowa. Within a few short weeks he met a beautiful Italian girl, Lucille Amadeo, who taught him English and won his love forever.
On May 1, 1949, they were joined in marriage and were blessed with four children. His career was spent working as an iron artist at Lorenzano Ornamental Iron, a fusion welder at Solar Aircraft, and as a master welder at Massey-Ferguson. In addition, he owned a bar in Carlisle, Iowa – Joe’s Lounge – and offered his mixology expertise to his friends at Club 2000. He was a hard worker, sometimes working four jobs simultaneously to “live his American dream.”
Joe was always whistling snappy Italian songs while working on a project in his garage. He loved making dollhouses for his wife and granddaughters, Christmas reindeer for his family, birdhouses, furniture, and many other woodworking projects. He had hundreds of tools that he loved to put to work standing at his beloved workbench. Visitors were always certain to find him crafting something new as he waved them up the driveway.
He never met a stranger for long…he became good friends with everyone he met. No matter what store, or where he traveled, he had a handshake and a smile for a good buddy. Above all he loved spending time with his family telling stories of his younger days as an immigrant.
Joe was a proud Italian who cherished his heritage. He passed that Italian pride to his children, giving them a life that he had dreamed about as a young boy; a better life, in the land of opportunity the USA.
He was a member of Saint Anthony Catholic Church and a lifetime member of the Stemma D’Italia Lodge (Society of Italian Americans), and a TRW Union Member.
Joe will be greatly missed by his dedicated and loving children, Dominic (Laura) Tucci, Dorothy (Mitchell) Parker, Elisabeth (Dr. John) Calisesi of Fort Dodge, and Jomarie Tucci; his six wonderful grandchildren, Jodi (Adam) Park, Ryan Tucci, Blake, and Alivia Parker, Dr. Carrie Jo (Dr. Brady) Pearson, and Liza Marie Calisesi; two great-grandsons, Noah Bergmann and Corbin Park; and sister Gina (Russ) Waters. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille Tucci, parents, and two sisters, Concetta Gallardo and Mary Lenhart.
Visitation will be from 4:30 to 8 p.m., with a Rosary at 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 2, 2013, at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 3. at Saint Anthony Catholic Church, 15 Indianola Avenue, followed by burial at Glendale Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to the family.
The family thanks the many Angels at Ramsey Village for their love and care throughout the past two years…especially Kolleen, Rebecca, Kelly, Marty, Tammy, Mallory, Samir, and Lesly. To our friends and family your devotion made his journey more comforting.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Dominic Tucci
11/10/2023
Dad,
Its been a short time that you have left us to join mom in the rainbow of heaven. Thank you for inspiring us to achieving our college dreams & teaching hard work & respect for all.
Im proud of your military service in the Italian Navy when Italy was a United States partner.
We miss you & will always remember saluting you as a dad & your service.
Debbie Jordan-Wheeler
07/12/2013
Dear All of Joe & Lucille's family,
They are together now in Heaven's Garden. The last few years has been quite a challenge for you all. May your Garden of Memories fill your hearts with pride and smiles, as love was a true ingredient in your family tree. Bless you all indeed and my prayers are with you. Debbie
Wendy Kiess
07/08/2013
I am so sorry to hear the news of your father's passing.My heart goes out to your family Jomarie. I am sorry for your loss. May your father rest in peace.
Wendy Kiess
Gennaro Mastropasqua
07/02/2013
Dear Liz and all the family, I send my sincere condolences to you all. Losing a loved one is always very hard to accept. My thoughts and my prayers are with you all.
Kolleen C.
07/02/2013
It was such pleasure getting to know Joe and take care of him. I looked forward to walking into his room in the mornings to see his smile. He will be missed at Ramsey. He will be missed by me. It was a privilege to take care of your Dad.
Jo Bachman VanWyk
07/02/2013
Dorothy, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your Father. I am thinking of you.
Karen Walsh
07/02/2013
Dear Liz and entire family,
A great life lived, a wonderful and loving family, friends, home, dreams, work and many interests, here is to Papa Tucci, a great human being! I am thinking of all of you and sending my love and condolences.
Connie (Turner) Johnson
07/02/2013
So sorry for your loss. I loved coming to your house to visit. He always made everyone feel so welcome. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Scott Wagner
07/02/2013
He touched some many lives and will be greatly missed . I send my sincere condolences to Jo Marie and the family. My thoughts and Prayers are with you all. Scott Wagner
Diana Fryer&Mando Oliver
07/02/2013
Dorthy,
We are so sorry for your loss. May your strong faith and memories bring you much comfort.
Frank Celsi
07/01/2013
We join the family in mourning the death of a very special person in our lives. Joe was a sweet and gentle man, a long-time friend.
We send our sincere condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.
We love you very much.
Frank and Ellen Celsi
Paul
07/01/2013
The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.
Courtney T.
07/01/2013
So sorry to hear of Joe's passing. He was such a wonderful man and always so happy and cheerful. I am a better person for knowing him and my thoughts are with your family at this time. May you all find peace in the wonderful memories created with him.