Gasper Joseph Anania
May 13, 2016
Gasper Joseph Anania, 89, passed away on May 13, 2016. Gasper was born on December 29, 1926, to Angelo and Lucy (Sarcone) Anania and spent his whole life on the south side of Des Moines in a very large, tight-knit womb-to-tomb family.
After graduating from Dowling High School in 1944, he served his country honorably in the Army. He married Lucia Macri in 1951 and together they raised four children. He owned and operated Pete’s Tavern and then was a successful salesman for over 40 years.
Gasper was a very kind man that was loved by many. He never knew a stranger. He was the life of the party and could make anyone laugh by rattling off joke after joke. He loved making people laugh. Sitting around and visiting with valued friends and family was his favorite thing to do.
He was a lifelong member of St. Anthony Catholic Church and a proud member of the American Legion, the Knights of Columbus, and the Society of Italian Americans.
Gasper was a devoted family man and will be missed deeply by Lucia, his loving wife for over 65 years; children, Lucia (Pete) Hale, Angelo (Kaye) Anania, and Andrea; eight grandchildren, Freddy, Danny, Bernadette, Carmie Lou, Katie, Christina, Dominic, and Rosie; and eleven great grandchildren, Gabriel, Milan, Gino, Roman, Tony, Natalia, Justin, Tyler, Rozalyn, Oliver, and Brielle. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Rosalyn, grandson Anthony, and siblings, Francie Anania, Marian Pane, Sara Graziano and Carmella Pane.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, May 16, 2016 with a Rosary beginning at 8:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 17, at St. Anthony Catholic Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or St. Anthony Catholic Church.
A very special thank you to all of the staff at Fleur Heights Nursing Home and St. Croix Hospice for all of the loving care he received.
Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Jodi Adkins
05/16/2016
Gasper was a very special man. I am glad I got to know him while I was at Fluer. Sorry for your loss.
Linda DeFrancisco
05/16/2016
Anania family, so very sorry for your loss. He was a very nice man and neighbor for many years. Linda (Johnson) DeFrancisco
Gail Barrell
05/16/2016
I am so sorry for your loss, I will miss him and his smile. Rest in peace Mr. Anania. God Bless him and his family
Lisa Vivone Cruchelow
05/16/2016
Lucia and family we are so sorry for your loss. He was such a great man and we will miss his jokes.
Love to you all,
Lisa & the IAWI
Andy Baumert
05/16/2016
Andrea, I'm very sorry to hear the news about your Dad. Our family will be praying for him and for you and your family. God bless you. Andy
Theresa Anania Woodley
05/15/2016
Dear Lucia and Family,
Gasper gave joy and laughter to so many people. God gave him such special gifts, especially love of family and he gave it his all. We are sorry for your loss of your loving husband, father and grandfather. God bless all, His peace be with you.
Tom, Theresa and Adam
Connie Seastrand
05/15/2016
I was very honored to have known papa and his family. Not only will he be missed but I will miss his wife and kids. Thank you for sharing him with me. He holds a special place in my heart. You will be missed.
Valerie Cooper
05/15/2016
I'm so sorry for you loss ...thoughts and prayers to all of the family ...it was my pleasure to know all of you ..and it was my pleasure to have taken care of Gasper ( papa ) he will be missed ..love ya papa rest in peace
Cheryl rousseau
05/15/2016
I am so sorry for your loss of your loved one. May he rest in peace. God bless you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Alex Stowe
05/15/2016
Uncle Ga was always able to make me laugh with a quick story. I will always remember his sense of humor and kindness to others. He will be incredibly missed. My thoughts and prayers are will all of you. I love you, Alex.
David Bellis
05/15/2016
My love, thoughts and prayers are with the Anania Family. I'm so sorry for your loss. God bless.