Joseph Frank Tucci

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

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