Joe Scalzo

Joe Scalzo, beloved husband of Mary Pane Scalzo, passed away quietly at home on Tuesday, April 12, attended by Mary and close family friends. Joe recently reached 91 years of age.

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 18, beginning at 9:30 AM at Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church (15 Indianola Road, Des Moines, 50315) followed by a funeral mass beginning at 10:30 AM. There will be no graveside service. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

Joe was born in Adami, Catanzaro, Calabria, Italy in 1931. When Joe was a young man, his family moved to Uruguay, South America, where they lived for ten years. After returning to Adami, Joe developed the skills of a finish tailor, his lifelong occupation.

Joe and Mary were married in Adami in 1966 and moved to Des Moines in 1968, joining many Adami natives and other Calabresi who made the same journey to Des Moines during the 20th century. Joe and Mary (an accomplished seamstress) worked together at seven retail clothing stores or tailor shops in the Des Moines area, starting with Kucharo’s in 1968. Because of Joe’s excellent reputation, his tailor skills were very much in demand. This afforded Joe many other tailor opportunities, which included working at Foreman & Clark, The Touch, Wilson’s, Reichardt’s, Mr. B’s, and Joe Andreano’s Tailor Shop.

Joe was devoted to his wife Mary. The two were inseparable throughout their time in Des Moines. They attended church activities, and gatherings with friends, and enjoyed many of the City’s community events, particularly those downtown and on the ‘south side’. Joe was respectful, kind, and gentle with everyone he knew and encountered.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Antonio and Nicoletta Scalzo, his brother Carmelo Scalzo (Chicago), and brother Raffaele (Adami). In addition to his wife, Mary, Joe is survived by three nephews (sons of Carmelo), all living in the Chicago area, Antonio, Giovanni, and Joe. Three children of Raffaele also survive in Italy, Paola, Antonio, and Franco.

The family and close friends wish to express appreciation for the care provided to Joe by Kindred Care Hospice Service, Joe’s physician, Dr. Michael Blaess, and the doctors, nurses, and staff at Mercy One Medical Center in downtown Des Moines.

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