Peter Leo

Known as “Uncle Pete” to the south side, Pete Leo joined the Lord on October 4th surrounded by his loving family and priest Fr. Bergtoli. Pete was born on June 26th, 1927, the youngest son of the second wife of a widower from Terravecchia, Pete truly was “uncle” to dozens, many of whom were his age or older. But it was his generous and loving nature that made it easy for anyone to call him “Uncle Pete”. If a poor soul needed a tuxedo, a job, tuition, connections, or just advice Pete was there.

Pete began working for Skeffington’s Formalwear in 1955. He bought the company in 1977. Although his business was style and fashion, Pete wore a carefree flat top haircut and definitely had his own style of dressing.

Pete dedicated his boundless energy to the Society Stemm D’Italia, Knights of Columbus, Saint Anthony’s Church, and Dowling High School. He helped build the new Dowling, transported the Dowling football coaches, and kept statistics for Coach Jim Williams. Loyal to the end, Pete lead his family in the Dowling fight song hours before passing. A man of devout faith, Pete fasted on Fridays, never missed mass, and only took communion from a priest.

Family was the center of Pete’s life. After Sunday mass he would “make the rounds” visiting his countless siblings, cousins, nephews, and nieces. He would then return home for Esther’s pasta dinner. He embraced life in a light hearted way. Pete was no stranger to pranks, jokes, and games of chance. But it was his grandchildren who enjoyed his mischievous side the most. Every Christmas Pete would distribute gifts from his perch by the tree. Waving a gift and repeatedly calling a child’s name all the while pretending to not see or hear the screeching youngster.

Pete is survived by his loving wife of over 65 years, Esther (Favaro); his brother, Tony; children, Gary (Sue) Leo of Wauwatosa, WI, David (Claudia) Leo of Des Moines, Mary Jo (Frank) Harty of West Des Moines, Karen (Dennis) Dissinger of Cumming, Rosalie (Irwin) Zuckerman of West Des Moines, Deanna (Aaron) Werning of Mt. Juliet, TN, and Christina (Jimmy) Mauro of Des Moines, plus twenty four grandchildren and thirty great grandchildren

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Frank and Rose; his half-sisters Maria and Rafella; siblings, Philomena, Betty, Mike; and three brothers who died in childhood, Charles, John, and Dominic.

Special thanks to Missy Bycroft, Tiffany Onstot, Lisa Blair with Heart in the Home Care, and the staff at Home Instead for the loving care that dad received in the past several months.

A visitation with family will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm Monday, October 8, 2018 at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street with a rosary service at 7:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 15 Indianola Rd, Des Moines, Iowa. Interment will follow at Glendale Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Anthony Catholic Church, St. John the Apostle, or Dowling Catholic High School.

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