Giuseppe "Joe" Leo

Giuseppe Leo was born March 9, 1937, in Terravecchia, Italy, the son of Giovanni Alfonso Leo and Teresina Bonanno. Giuseppe worked in Italy and Germany until he and his family moved to the United States in 1979. He retired from the Des Moines Public Schools in 2010, after 30 years of service, and he also worked at the Latin King restaurant. He spent as much time as possible being a provider for his family and working outdoors taking care of his gardens. The last four years of his life he battled Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, which slowly took away many of the abilities, that can easily be taken for granted. Throughout his illness he was always a model of positivity and a constant pillar of strength. He will continue to be the patriarch of the legacy he has left behind.

Giuseppe (“Joe”) (“Nonno”) died on Thursday, March 6, 2014, of Stroke complications at Taylor House surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Lidia; his daughters, Theresa (Scott), Vittoria (Jon), Annamaria (Nick), and Daniela; as well as three brothers and four sisters: Immacolata, Domenico (Carmela), Pasquale (Fortuna), and Maria in Italy; Angela, and Rosina (Peppino) in the U.S.; and Agostino (Anita) in Germany. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Antonio. He also is survived by his five grandchildren whom he loved dearly: Lucas, Olivia, Giuseppe ("Joey"), Dominic, and Logan; as well as several nephews and nieces here in the U.S., Italy, and Germany.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 15 Indianola Road. Burial will follow the mass at Glendale Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 10, 2014 at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home., 5400 SW 9th Street; a rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m.

Joe’s family would like to extend special thanks to Unity Point Health and The Taylor House for the love and care they gave to Joe.

God saw he was getting tired, and a cure was not to be; so he put His arms around him, and whispered, "Come with me." With tearful eyes we watched him suffer, and saw him fade away;

Although we loved him dearly, we could not make him stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands to rest; God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the Best! ~ Anonymous

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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