Samuel Francis Cataldo, 85, of Des Moines, a grandfather, father, son, brother, and cousin to many, passed away peacefully surrounded by family Saturday, November 5, 2022.
Sam was born to Joseph and Elizabeth (Rand) on October 18, 1937 and attended St. Anthony’s School where his love was baseball and his large family. Sam attended Dowling High School before graduating and working for John Deere where he would retire.
Sam or “Sammy” as everyone knew him loved being Italian and cherished his Southside roots. You could usually find Sam at Papa Joe’s restaurant or the Dairy Queen in which his family owned. Sam loved telling stories from his childhood and loved making his grandchildren listen to them repeatedly.
Sam married Lois Jewell and had one son, Anthony (Carmen)
Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Elizabeth, brother Joseph Jr and is survived by his son Anthony (Carmen), ex-daughter-in-law with whom he remained close Denise, grandsons Vinny (Michelle) and Rudy (Haylee), granddaughter Danielle (Scott) DeFrancisco, great-grandsons Roman, James, Ben, and Eli. Sam also lives on through the extensive family and hundreds of cousins in which he had.
It was Sam’s wish that he be cremated and placed with his parents Joseph and Elizabeth.
Visitation with family will be from 2-4pm, Saturday, November 12, 2022, at Tonini’s Funeral Home at 2135 SW 9th St. A service will be held immediately after the visitation followed by a private family burial at Glendale Cemetery.
Memorial contributions for Samuel Cataldo can be addressed to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church at 15 Indianola Rd. Des Moines, IA 50315.