Samuel Francis Anania
May 25, 2010
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
Jan Ellsworth
03/17/2013
Sam was not only my Godfather, but he was also the GREATEST man I have ever known! He was a kind, gentle soul with an engaging spirit in everything he did, and no amount of words can adequately sum up the loss I feel. I love you, Sam!
Bob Aguiniga
05/27/2010
Recently we lost a southside icon, Joe Tursi and now another
southside icon, Sam Anania.
The contributions these two men made to our southside community
is endless.
I will always remember Sam as a down to earth guy who was very
knowledgeable with the political arena on the southside. Working
with him during certain elections was a experience I will never
forget.
Sam and Mary always made me feel welcomed when I visited Sam at
their house. I will always appreciate their hospitality.
My sincere condolences to Mary and the entire Anania family.
And to Sam "God Bless You".
Tom & Theresa (Anania) Woodley
05/26/2010
To my Uncle Sam,
We have many fond memories of being your neices and nephews. What a great experience growing up on the southside, especially sorrounded by Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles and cousins. We have the funniest stories to tell and the most wonderful Italian food cooked and baked by your loving wife, Aunt Mary Louise.
Uncle Sam, I'm glad that you are in heaven with your parents, my dad, your brother, Lou, your bother Mike and sisters Rose and Phyllis. I hope you have greated one another and old friends in celebration and are living in the joy and peace and laughter of eternal life with Jesus.
Thank you for your service to our country - you are of the greatest generation. Thank you for being an Uncle to us, as well as a friend.
With much love and God bless you and your family,
Tom & Theresa (Anania) Woodley and Adam Anania