Albert "Abbie" Polito
March 27, 1924 — June 11, 2025
- Share:
-
-
-
Service Details
Albert "Abbie" Polito, born March 27, 1924 in Des Moines, passed away on June 11, 2025 in Surprise, Arizona.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday June 21, 2025 at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue, Des Moines with interment to follow at Highland Memory Gardens. Family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Abbie graduated from North High School in 1942 and served in the Army during World War II. He co-owned Russ and Abbie’s La Pizza House. Abbie enjoyed outdoor activities, especially bike riding and horseshoes.
He is survived by five of his children, Marty, Connie, Andy, Tom and Shelley; two daughters-in-law; one son-in-law; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one brother; one sister-in-law; and multiple nieces and nephews.
Abbie was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, MaryAlice; son, Dave; parents; and 12 brothers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society or Disabled Veterans of America.
Bob Fontana
06/24/2025
Dear Polito Family,
I first met Abbie when I was growing up in Ankeny as a young boy. I thought it was the neatest thing when my parents would go to the Southside of Des Moines to see relatives and we would go by LA Pizza House and I would see the sign and I knew your dad was the owner, and I thought I knew a celebrity. Then my dad told me that Abbie and he help build the softball diamond at OLIH church in Ankeny. I thought that was really cool I knew a guy that owned a restaurant and built a softball diamond. As the years went by, I remember having a birthday party at La Pizza House and then a football banquet there in High School.
In my early 20's I started to play Fast Pitch Softball and in 1987, LA Pizza House was our sponsor and in 1988 we won the Major Open State Championship. On the Monday after we won your dad called me and personally congratulated me and thanked me. He then had a banquet for our team at La Pizza House and I'll never forget him hugging me that night and saying thank you. I still get chills when I think about that.
Your dad was a legend and is someone I will always remember, and it was an honor that I got to know him and got to play for his Fast Pitch Softball team.
Bob Fontana
Ankeny, Iowa
Gary and Chris Rohwedder
06/18/2025
Marty- It's been a number of years since you and I have seen each other. You were best man in our wedding in 1970, and then you and I were together a couple of times after the wedding, but we've lost touch since those times. I miss you each time I think of you, my friend.
I remember your dad from when I went home with you one weekend from UNI, and got to see him at the La Pizza House. He was very engaging and was easy to like. It appears, by the photo in his obituary, that he was still a happy and engaging person. I'm sure that you and your family will miss him a lot.
Chris and I want express our condolences to you, Marty. Jesus tells us in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." May His Peace be with you all.
Gary and Chris
Mary Bradish
06/18/2025
I am so sorry for your loss. My dad David Bradish went to school with Abbie and we came every Friday night for pizza and hot sausage sandwiches. Abbie would let my two sisters and myself watch them make pizza. I was just talking to a regular Friday nighter and we were talking about how we thought we were tough stuff when we got to sit upstairs. Thank you for all the memories. I sure do miss those day. God Bless
Tom Anderson
06/16/2025
I am truly fortunate to have known Abbie. Working for him for several years at LPH, he always pointed me in the right direction. He had a huge impact on me, my brothers and all of our friends that worked there. He taught me how to snow ski on the slopes of Colorado. One of many ski trips with the Polito's. So much energy! Heaven just received in one awesome guy! Gone but never forgotten! Prayers for the family.
Tom (TA) and Shel Anderson
Lynne Burgett Murphy
06/16/2025
I'm very sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of visiting La Pizza House with my dad, Coach Burgett, when I was a child. Dad started going there when he was a college football player at Drake and his nickname was "Toad"! I also remember Abbie taking us for boat rides when we went to Okoboji every year and I thought I was cool because Abbie let me steer the boat. His legacy created so many good memories for so many who loved the restaurant as much as we did. I know he will be missed!
Lynne
Linda King
06/15/2025
We lived next door to Russ and Veronica and would frequent La Pizza House to deliver loads of fresh vegetables from the garden and my dad’s handmade pizza paddles for your shop. I remember Abby would let us make our own pizzas and would laugh that we didn’t want any of our vegetables on our pizza!
Lots of love and prayers to you all!
Janet Kent
06/15/2025
Abbie was one of the best people I was fortunate to know. He always greeted the customers at La Pizza House as one of the family. He always had a smile that would light up a room. I will miss my Christmas card from Abbie. RIP Abbie.
Kim Price
06/14/2025
Very sorry for your loss. Many good meals were eaten at La Pizza House for lots of years. Rest in peace, prayers for all his family.