Nicholas J. Mancuso

Nicholas J. Mancuso, age 91, died on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Nick was born October 1, 1930 to Peter and Catherine (Bellizzi) Mancuso in Des Moines, Iowa. On December 1, 1962 he married Sanita M. Reyes. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1948. While in high school, he participated in football and basketball, and was captain of the basketball team and vice president of his class.

After high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he attained the rank of sergeant. After being honorably discharged from the service in 1952, he joined his father (the hardest working man he ever knew) who founded Iowa-Des Moines Supply Inc. (with a streetcar pass and notebook) in 1937. See www.iowadesmoinessupplyfounder.com. The company sold restaurant, cleaning, and paper/plastic supplies.

Nick started with IDMS as a driver and warehouseman. He did sales work for 35 years of his 45 years with the company while serving 28 years as manager. He sold the business in 1996.

During his retirement, he volunteered at his church, Christ the King, and SCORE (Mentors to Small Businesses). He was a member of Knights of Columbus and YMCA. Nick believed in helping others and gave to many charities besides the Catholic Church. One of his favorite charities was sponsoring four children in Hyderabad, India through UNBOUND, formerly (CFCA) Christian Foundation for Children and Aged, Kansas City, Kansas. He visited India in January 2000.

Nick was preceded in death by his wife, Sanita (Sunny) (Reyes) Mancuso; parents, Peter and Catherine Mancuso; and brother, Joseph.

He is survived by a nephew, Thomas (Diane) Mancuso and niece, Mary Easthouse, both of California, and also special friend, Shannon Jameson.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Thursday December 23, 2021 at Christ the King Catholic Church, 5711 SW 9th Street, Des Moines with interment to follow at Glendale Cemetery. Family will greet friends one hour prior to Mass at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ the King Foundation or UNBOUND.

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