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Dominic Leone Obituary
Des Moines
Dominic Charles 'Don' Leone, 65, passed away at home March 3, 2014 of an apparent cardiac event. Services will be held at St Anthony's Catholic Church, 15 Indianola Rd, Des Moines, Iowa on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 10:30 am. Family will greet friends and celebrate his life on Friday, March 7, 2014 at Tonini Funeral Home, 2135 S.W. 9th St., Des Moines from 5-7 pm with a brief prayer service at 7 pm.
Don was born on September 27, 1948 in Des Moines to Clement and Theresa (Crivaro) Leone. He attended Dowling High School, and Grandview College. For many years Don worked as a manufacturer's rep selling dry cleaning products, and other cleaning chemicals to companies, hospitals, schools and organizations in Iowa and Nebraska. He also owned Rite-Way Dry Cleaners. Most recently, Don worked as a booking officer at the Polk County Jail where he retired in 2013. He was a member of the Society of Italian Americans.
Donnie, as those closest to him called him, was a man of simple tastes. He loved his family, his friends, watching a good football game, golf with his brother, and pasta and meatballs on Sundays. Although he took pleasure in his travels to Florida, he loved the camaraderie of the friends and family he spent time growing up with in Des Moines. He is survived by his daughter Angela Nicole 'Nicki' and son Michael; his brother Pete; his former wife Lana Doty; nephews and nieces; numerous cousins and many 'Southside' friends he always called 'Cuz'. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Clem and Theresa.
Memorial contributions may be directed to his children to be allocated to a charitable organization such as the Catholic Worker House, or St. Anthony's Church Foundation.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Dominic Leone
Connie Flint
March 1, 2019
Miss you Donnie! I know you are in heaven eating lots of pasta and playing pitch with George, Gasper, and others.
Peter & Rosemary Acri
March 10, 2014
Just want you to know our prayers are with you all.
Pete & Rose Acri
Robert Battani Jr
March 8, 2014
NICKI,,Lisa called and said the sad news...we are so sorry ..i would of loved to have met your father..If he was a happy as you are when we meet .i know we would love him..and he was proud of you....Love ya..Bob and Anne
Mariangela Funaro-White
March 8, 2014
May GOD hold you in his arms today Dominic.
May GOD also comfort your family, and may they know that you are in heaven today. Your classmate Mariangela. We shared the exact same birthday.
Jim Stanley
March 8, 2014
Sorry to see you go so soon, Brother. You will be missed and remembered.
Kim Leydens
March 7, 2014
You were a very special person and will be missed by many people. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Bill Favaro
March 7, 2014
My heart goes out to his family during this difficult time.
Donnie and I used to walk home from St Anthony's together usually taking the “short cut” that started with climbing a set of old wooden stairs, cutting through backyards that eventually led us through the school yard of the old Washington Grade school that he lived right across the street from. Sometimes just the two of us and sometimes accompanied by his little brother Pete. As we walked I remember he always had a funny story about his Nonna and life growing up in a very Italian family. He was very proud to be a Southsider and Italian. He called anyone else that was “Cuz” whether related by blood or not. You know they say Heaven is what you want it to be and if that is true I'm sure he is now on the Southside of Heaven enjoying a plate of pasta with a side of sausage and peppers. I will miss you “Cuz” and my thoughts and prayers to his brother Pete, his daughter Nicki, his son Michael and all of his Cuzzin's
Sue Macumber
March 7, 2014
Donnie was a wonderful friend and classmate. We will never forget his great sense of humor and wonderful smile. My thoughts and prayers are with his children, his brother Pete and all his family and friends.
Connie Guggino Flint
March 7, 2014
Thoughts about Donnie
I have some thoughts that I would like to share with everyone.
I just saw Donnie a couple of weeks ago when he and George Renzo were in Florida for a vacation, something Donnie looked forward to every year. I had them over for dinner along with my brother Pat and his wife Ike. We played pitch, ate, played pitch some more and had a ball. I recall Donnie saying to me upon leaving," Well Cuz, thank you, and I'll see you next year, God willing."
Well, God willed Donnie home.
I have so many memories growing up with Donnie and Petey, as our mothers were sisters and we shared our NaNa. (Of course Petey was always the "bella NaNa") but that didn't bother Donnie nor me. They were like brothers to me since my real brothers were so much older than me. We walked to St. Anthony's school every day through the Washington Elementary School grounds. We played every day together after school and for the first 12 years, I was the sister they never had. Both of our mothers worked, which was somewhat rare in the 1950's, so often times I would have supper with the Leone family. Na Na pretty much raised us and we really were hellians! She was blind and always chased us with a broom stick. She never caught us, and even if she did she would never have used it.
Donnie, Julie, Marianne and myself all started school together at the age of 5. The Nuns terrified me and Donnie and I remember looking to Julie to keep us safe. She was the strongest! Donnie was such a cute kid.............he had this head of dark hair, nice complexion and always wore glasses, kind of quiet and studious looking. By the time we were teenagers, we only saw each other on family vacations. I would visit Des Moines or the Leones vacationed in Florida.
I remember my first marriage in 1969. My parents reserved a motel on the water in St. Petersburg. It was called the Jungle Prada and it had a long pier out to the bay. My Aunt Theresa kept telling Petey not to get too close to the water because a submarine from Cuba would snatch and kidnap him. She was totally serious! Something really funny happened the night before I was to be married. We were all in the motel bar drinking and having a good time, when all of a sudden the female bartender, who by the way was partying with us, fell over and passed out. She was really out! Needless to say, free drinks were on the house. My brother Gasper went behind the bar and kept serving the best liquor in the place to all of us. I think Donnie was drinking Napoleon Brandy. The next morning Donnie picked me up and took me to breakfast at the Leggett drug store in town. It was just the two of us and I will always cherish that memory.
Although I cannot be with all of you at this time please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, especially Michael and Nicki. You both had a wonderful and caring father who loved you so much. You two were the most positive thing in his life and he was very proud of both of you. Please raise your glasses and toast Donnie and I will do the same.
His Cuz,
Connie Guggino Flint
Rosemary Brady
March 7, 2014
I have so many memories from childhood to adulthood. Donnie was a sweetheart and a good friend. My prayers are with his family. Cling to your memories they will bring you comfort.
Sincerely, Rosemary Brady
Maxine Flaherty
March 6, 2014
Donnie and I were classmates clear back to our grade school days at St. Anthony's. I remember his gentleness & sweet smile. My thoughts & prayers are with all of you. May God bless you with strength in the days ahead of you.
Judy Wilson-Williams
March 6, 2014
Thoughts of Donnie bring me wonderful memories of "south siders". I'm sure God has a special place for him. Prayers to his loved ones.
Mike Anania
March 6, 2014
Many memories of Donnie and all of them bring a smile to me. My condolences to his brother, children and family. May God's blessings be with you all.
March 6, 2014
My heart-felt condolences to Dominic's family for their loss. Bill Glynn, former SAS and Dowling classmate.
Vicky Malsam/Gabriel
March 6, 2014
Donnie always sweet & kind. May God wrap his comforting arms around you family Donnie knowing you are at peace with the Angels
God bless you on your arrival.
Voldy Vanags
March 6, 2014
Our prayers and deepest condolences to Don's family. We have been friends for many years.
Pat Monaghan
March 6, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Donnie had a great sense of humor and a wonderful laugh.
Mike Lyons
March 6, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers to the entire Leone family. Donnie I have so many great memories of you. See you everyday in a photo of my wedding. I will remember you always my old friend.
Leonard and Debbie Bussanmas
March 5, 2014
He was a very good neighbor for the past several months we enjoyed our short acquaintance many prayers to his family.
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