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
Charles and Tina Hass
07/16/2015
Can not believe 5 years have passed. We love you Sara.
Frank Tate
03/16/2010
My deepest sympathy to the entire Tursi family. As a boy growing up on the Southside (son of Lloyd and Dorothy Tate), there was never any other place like "Joes". My Mom always got my school clothes there. Very fond memories... Simply wonderful memories.
Janet (Oliver) Adair
03/13/2010
To Carmie, Frank, and Molly,
My parents,who still live in Iowa, sent me your father's obituary, having seen it in the Des Moines Register. I wanted to write and say how sorry I was to hear about his death. He was a fine gentleman and will missed by many. Our condolences to you and your families at this sad time. Affectionately, Janet & Mike Adair (Creighton Univ. '74 - Delta Zeta)
Dennis Fernkes
03/01/2010
Carmie,
It sounds like your dad was a wonderful person. You should be very proud of him. I am sorry for your loss.
In sympathy,
Dennis Fernkes
Jack Bensink
02/25/2010
I am sorry to here about Joe. He was a great man and will be missed by everyone who knew him.We will all be praying for the loved ones he left behind.
As I have found all that really helps is time and wonderful memories.
Jack Bensink
Lisa Lavia Ryan
02/25/2010
My father, Charlie Lavia, would buy clothes nowhere but Tursi's. He's 90 now, but was quite a dresser in his heyday, and Tursi's provided him with all the nice suits he needed! He stopped by the store most Saturdays and he would often bring me with him; I still remember the smell of the store, and how nice Mr. Paul and Mr. Joe always were to me.
My dad is in poor health now, but is aware of and was very saddened by the news of Joe's passing. The family is in our prayers.
Lisa Lavia Ryan
Urbandale, Iowa
Connee Hotchkiss Lees
02/23/2010
My condolences to the Tursi family. My mother and I shopped at the store for many years, from the time I was a young girl until it closed. Even if Joe did not know our names, he always had a kind word for us whenever we came in. He was a delightful man. Sincerely, Connee Hotchkiss Lees
Darrell Arneson
02/23/2010
My Dear Sarah and Children.
I am so sorry to read of Joe'S death.
I remenber foundly the great visits with you fine neighbors on Spirit Lake.
May GOD'S grace give you peace for the loss of this great man.
Your friend, Darrell Arneson
Sue Arneson
02/23/2010
You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Our family has a lot of great memories of Joe, our neighbor on Big Spirit Lake. He was such a wonderful person.
Timothy P Hartman
02/22/2010
Sorry for your loss. Joe certainly was a good man. I can remember shopping with my mother at his store when I was young. He was good at stearing her in a direction that didn't leave me being too conservative in my dress.
Jim & Lil Bixler and Family
02/22/2010
Our condolences to the Family of Joe Tursi - We all have fond memories
of him - He was a sweet, friendly man with a ready smile and friendly
hello. He will be remembered and missed by so many of us.
Sincerely
Jim & Lil Bixler
Pauline @ True Value
02/22/2010
Paul & Darlene
My sympathy to your family.
Lori Vacco Patton
02/22/2010
The service was very beautiful. I remember Joe always helping us when we would come in for our St. Anthony's uniforms. Joe was such a wonderful and pleasant man and as a kid always made me laugh. We can all only hope that we leave behind the grace and memories about ourselves that he has left all of us.
God Bless your whole family,
Sincerely,
Lori Vacco Patton
Family of Willy Crigler
02/22/2010
We are saddened to hear of your loss. Our Thoughts and prayers are with your family
Walter & Barbara Dobbins
02/22/2010
To the family of Joseph Tursi.
We would like to send our condolences to your family.
It was our pleasure to know Joe for many, many years and he will be missed.
I saw him last summer walking by and we had a nice visit.
Joe was a wonderful person and a very good friend to all. He was always there for any of us who needed him at any time. This world is a better place because of Joe. His memory will be always in our thoughts.