Leto, Ralph J. 1924-2008

LETO, DEFRANCISCO, PRUIN, FAZIO, COPPOLA

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 1/30/2018 at 14:42:36

Ralph J. Leto
January 26, 1924 - December 26, 2008
Des Moines, Iowa

Our father, Ralph J. Leto died early December 26, 2008, the same day his father died in 1942. He was 84 years old.

Dad was a hard-working, first-generation Ital ian American. He was a perfectionist: a grocer, a master craftsman, a builder, and he worked many years for Massey Ferguson until retirement. He served many years as Commander of Bellizzi MacRae American Legion, Post #659. Dad was a good provider for our family and a life-long member of Saint Anthony Catholic Church.

He is preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 61 years, Victoria DeFrancisco Leto, who died in 2004, and his son Samuel who died November 18, 2008.

Mom and Dad had six children: Ralph (Jane), Anthony (Mary), Samuel (Joyce), Paul (Lisa), Victor IA (David Pruin) and Patricia (Frank Fazio), 23 grandchildren, and 28 great grandchildren. His parents were Rosina and Anthony Leto. They had a large family, with one remaining child, Rosalie Coppola, of Urbandale.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Monday, December 29, 2008 at Saint Anthony Catholic Church. Visitation is from 2 to 8 p.m., Sunday, December 28, with Rosary at 6:30 p.m., at Brooks Funeral Care - Tonini Chapel. Memorials will be determined by the family. May he rest in peace. ~ The Des Moines (IA) Register, Sat 27 Dec 2008.