Samuel Francis Anania

Samuel (Sam) Anania, 89, passed away Tuesday, May 25, 2010 in Des Moines, Iowa. A mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. Friday, May 28th at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. A visitation will be from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. Friday at the church. A private burial of the cremated remains will be at a later date.

Sam was born March 3, 1921 to Mike and Catherine Anania in Des Moines. He was a south side resident all of his life and worked for the State of Iowa prior to owning and operating a local barbershop on the corner of SE First and Edison from 1953-1970.

Sam enjoyed supporting his community, politics and volunteering. He served on numerous community boards, including: Des Moines Parks & Recreation and the Des Moines Planning & Zoning Commission. Sam served in the Iowa Legislature from 1971-1973, as well as on the Polk County Board of Supervisors from 1974-1980. He also served as a former Dowling Club President and as a past Commander of the Bellizzi MacRae Legion Post #659. Amongst all of these achievements and activities Sam was most proud of serving his country in the Army Signal Corps stationed in New Guinea during WWII.

He attended St. Anthony Church in Des Moines and volunteered at St. Anthony School for several years, during which time he was honored by the South Des Moines Chamber of Commerce as “Citizen of the Year” in 1993.

Sam is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Louise Anania (Porto); daughters Katherine (Steve) Shafer; Chris (Cecil White) Anania; grandchildren Matt (Kathy) Shafer, Melissa (Chris) Ollila, Mike Shafer and fiance Ashley Canney; great grandchildren, Collin and Caleb Shafer and Allie and Kaylee Ollila; siblings, Joe Anania and Mary Ann Miller. Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Mike and Catherine; brothers Louis and Mike Jr. and sisters Rose Delmege and Phyllis Colegrove.

Memorial contributions may be given to the American Cancer Society.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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