Dino Righi

August 28, 2018

Dino Righi

Service Details

“There will be a hole in the world when Dino’s gone” - a friend.

Dino Righi, 91, peacefully left this earth on August 28, 2018, sadly but lovingly released by his family here to his family waiting for him.

Dino was born on October 9, 1926, to Italian immigrants, Aldemiro and Teresa “Marfisa” (Fontana) Righi, in Fort Des Moines, Iowa. He proudly served in the US Army, 7th Infantry Division, in the Pacific Theater, stationed on Okinawa and Korea. He retired from Meredith after 43 years as a pressman and union representative. Dino was a member of the Societa Vittoria Italiana, where he served as Recording Secretary and General Manager for over 40 years, a member of the Society of Italian Americans, and on the original board of the Italian-American Cultural Center, receiving its Outstanding Citizen award in 1995.

In 1953, Dino married his childhood sweetheart and love of his life, Augusta Anne Vignaroli. He brought Anne to Des Moines south side where they happily raised their family. He was proud of his Italian heritage and instilled that pride in his children and grandchildren. Dino loved planting and working in his garden, sharing its bounty with family and friends. He could fix anything and loved to work around the house and yard, never sitting down to rest. Once retired his favorite past times were golfing and taking friends out. His generosity was legendary.

An amazing man, he loved his family and friends so very much that you could not help but love him in return. He grew friends like he grew tomatoes. They were abundant and beautiful. We want to thank all of those friends now for all of the help, love and joy that you brought to Dino’s life.

Blessed by his life and left to mourn him are his children DeAnne (Dr. Robert) Chambers, Teresa Righi-Ryner, and Steven Dino (Delinda) Righi; his adoring grandchildren Dr. Christopher (Dr. Yasmin) Chambers, Dr. Megan (Dr. Benny) Hartshorn, Gina Righi, Crista Righi, Michael Dino Ryner; great-grandchildren Madalyn Righi, Robert Dino Hartshorn and Juliette Chambers. Also surviving are his brother-in-law Angelo (Barbara) Vignaroli and their family.

Dino is preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Anne.

The family wishes to thank the Extended Care and Hospice Staff at the Central Iowa VA for their compassionate care.

Family will welcome visitors at Christ the King Catholic Church from 3-6 pm on Monday, September 3. A Rosary will follow at 6 pm. Funeral Mass will be at Christ the King Church at 11 am on Tuesday, September 4. Interment will follow at Glendale Cemetery with Military Honors.

Memorials may be directed to Christ the King, VA Central Iowa Health Care System, and Italian American Cultural Center of Iowa Foundation.

Ti vogliamo tanto bene, Dino. Rivedremo in Paradiso.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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