Joseph "Joe" Tursi
February 17, 2010
Joseph S. Tursi, 88, passed from this life on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Monday, February 22, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church where he was a lifelong member. Burial will follow at Glendale Cemetery. A visitation will be held at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home on Sunday, February 21st from 2-7pm with family present from 2-4pm and from 5:30-7pm. A Bellizzi MacRae American Legion service will take place at 5:30pm, followed by the Society of Italian Americans. There will be rosary at 6 pm.
Joe was born in Terravecchia, Italy on November 8th, 1921 to Francesco and Carmela Tursi. When he was eight years old he immigrated to the United States. In 1937 his father bought Park Ave. Shoe Repair, which Joe operated while attending and graduating from Lincoln High School. In 1942 he hung up his apron and volunteered for the Army Air Corps, in which he served honorably in England during World War II. After returning to the U.S., he married Sarah Fazio on Janaury 8th, 1950 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and loved her for more than sixty years. In 1952, with his brother Paul, Joe expanded Park Ave. Shoe Repair into Tursi’s Clothing, which in the mid - 70’s was one of the largest privately owned clothing stores in the Midwest. Joe owned and operated the clothing store for over 40 years. After retiring he stayed active by constantly volunteering and by working with his son at the Latin King Restaurant. He hugged every lady who walked in the door and cleared tables faster than any teen-aged bus boy up until December of 2008. Joe loved interacting with people and had to be on the move. Even in his last days, he refused to use a wheel chair.
His life was guided by a few simple philosophies: Always be a gentleman; never go to sleep mad at the ones you love; family first; and why make one girl miserable when you can make them all happy? The latter was a guiding force only during his earlier years and was preached to his grandsons during rough patches of adolescent relationships. While these philosophies were simple, they led Joe to accomplish many things. Joe is the former President of the Stemma D’Italia; he started the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of St. Anthony’s; he belonged to the Build Lincoln Higher Club; he sat on the Board of Brenton Bank and on the Board of Health for the State of Iowa. He helped to found the Society of Italian Americans, was a member of the Knights of Columbus, started the Columbus Day Dinner Celebration, and honored his roots by collecting donations for an annual celebration in his hometown of Terravecchia and it’s parish, San Pietro in Vincoli. He was active in the American Legion, the Fleur Nursing Home, the Isaac Walton League, St. Anthony’s Church, and was always ready to lend a hand to anyone who needed it.
If asked, Joe would have said that his greatest pleasure was his family. Left to always honor his memory are his wife, Sarah; his daughter, Carmela (Robert) Hobbins, grandchildren, Brian, Patrick (Jeannie), Teddy, and great granddaughter, Lilly Hobbins; his son Frank (Molly), his grandchildren, Joe, Katie (Chul) Lee, Bridget, Jenna, Anna, and his great granddaughter, Mia Sun Lee; his son, Joe (Joan) and grandchildren, Kristina (Aaron) Anderson, Tony and David; his son, Bob (Amy), and grandchildren, Gina and RJ, brother, Paul (Darlene), and special cousins, Pete, Mary, and Dale Tursi, who were all fortunate enough to have shared in Joe’s life.
The lessons he left his family are basic but invaluable: Love one another; love your spouse; help others; and don’t complain. He showed us how in the way he treated us, in his relationship with Sarah, by the countless people he readily assisted, and by responding, “Not bad, not bad,” when asked how he was doing on the day he died. With his quiet confidence and consistently optimistic outlook on life, he was the greatest role model a family could have. He was an inspiration throughout his
Mike & Megan Antenucci
02/21/2010
Bobby, Amy and family, My 8 brothers and sisters and I have great memories of getting our new clothes at your Dad's store, and vititing him when our shoes needed his touch. We are with you in spirit at your time of loss. God bless your family.
Mike
George Torgerson
02/21/2010
With deepest sympathy. Me and my mom used to shop at the clothing store and miss his smiling face. He will be greatly missed.
Bernal Family
02/21/2010
Dear Tursi Family:
We were sadden to hear of the passing of Mr. Tursi.
Our prayers & thoughts are with all of you.
Mrs. Estolia Bernal
West Des Moines, IA
Lucille Bernal
Boston MA
James Tursi
02/20/2010
My father Michael Sam Tursi and his brother's Jim and Joe often spoke of how much they owed to Joe and Paul, when they were growing up after having moved from Oelwein after their father's death. Joe provided the fatherly advice they needed.
Joe was a leading member of the Tursi clan and made eveyone feel proud and happy to belong. He always remembered me and my family even after we moved to Cedar Rapids. The Tursi reunion was a joy to attend.
His son and my sons got to know one another and share knowledge of their Italian heritage. It was a joy and pleasure to know Joe.
We wish to offer condolences to Sarah and their family. We wish we were able to attend but because of the weather we will not be able to come. God bless you all.
JIm and Jenny Tursi
Joe and Kathy Fazio
02/20/2010
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family. Joe was a wonderful man and role model. We remember shopping at the clothing store. Our daughter, Rachel ( now 35 years old) loved to go shopping there and pick out her dresses after looking at many! Joe and I loved talking to him about the "old country" and the relatives. He will be missed by so many. Cherish the memories.
our love to you all.
Joe and Kathy Fazio
Harry and Norene Marquis
02/21/2010
Our condolences to the Tursi family on your loss. Love lives on forever in each memory and thought. May you each find comfort with you special and loving memories of someone so special. With sincere sympathy.
Jean LeRoque
02/21/2010
Joe was a great friend and "working neighbor" to my dad, Dr Jean leRoque, and later to my sister and me. He was a part of the Southside that I grew up with, and will be remembered, appreciated and missed!
Jean LeRoque
Pat Rizk
02/20/2010
Sarah, I am so sorry to have heard of Joe's passing. He was one of my Mother's (Sarah Rizk) and Father's (Mickey Rizk) best friends.
I'll always remember as a child and an adult, visiting the Shoe Repair Store and the Clothing Store and being trated as one of the family.
Joe was truly a gentle man and the kind of person you could proudly call a friend.
I will miss him dearly.
My best you Sarah and you beautiful family.
Pat Rizk
The Woodlands, Texas
Marcia Moore
02/20/2010
Dear Bobby, Amy and all of Joe's Family,
My deepest sympathy to you for the loss of this adorable, loving, fun man. He loved life and it showed.
Joe was an inspiration and joy to all who had the pleasure of meeting him! He acted like he was 35 years old! What a sweetheart!
Oh that we could all be as happy and fulfilled in life as Joe. Did he ever have a bad day?
God Bless him! Please celebrate his life BIG TIME!
With much love,
Marcia Moore
GORDON & KAREN CHIDESTER
02/20/2010
TO THE TURSI FAMILY,
GORDON AND I ARE IN TEXAS FOR THE WINTER SO WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT ALL OF YOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. JOE WILL BE MISSEED AND REMEMBERED BY SO MANY PEOPLE. A WONDERFUL MAN.
KAREN & GORDN CHIDESTER AND FAMILIES
Judy(Ackerlund)Rowe and family
02/20/2010
To you all. We grew up on S. Union & Virginia. Tursi's was always
there. Took all shoes to Joe, Dad would visit. We bought clothes
at the store for years. He was so good with all three of us girls.
Glenda and Amy as well. He was a wonderful man and a loving man to
everyone. Was great to see them at Latin King as we tried to alway's
be there for dinner when in town. Please know you are all in our
prayers at your loss. Judy, Ralph and Boys and families.
Now in Bella Vista, AR God Bless!!
Maria Roberts Rothmeyer
02/20/2010
To the family of Joe Tursi
I am so sorry to hear of Joe's passing. He was a good man. I will never forget him. He was so very nice to my dad (A.T.) and Mother. I know he will be missed greatly. After many years, he still knew who I was when I had lunch at the Latin King several years ago.
My heart goes out to all of you,
Maria Roberts Rothmeyer
Peggy and Orval Ostrem
02/20/2010
So sorry to read of Joe's passing-our condolences to the family. We are in Az for the winter-but we always ck our DM register for death and weather news. God bless you all-prayers. Peg and Orval
Jan Gipple
02/20/2010
Dear Carmie and Tursi family,
I was so sorry to read about the passing of your father. He was a hard-working man and an asset to the community and left a wonderful legacy for his children and grandchildren. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Steve herborn
02/20/2010
I want to pass on my sincerest condolences to the entire Tursi family.I met Joe on several occasions and he was always the consummate gentleman. My thoughts are with you.