Giuseppe “Joe” Milani, Oldest Vittoria Lodge Member Passes Away

Joe Milani
Giuseppe "Joe" Milani

Giuseppe “Joe ” Milani was born October 16, 1915, in Cargedolo, Italy. He was one of seven children born to Amerigo and Clotilde Milani. He married Domenica Balducchi on September 19, 1945. Eleven years later he left his homeland for America, to provide greater opportunities for his family. He settled in Madrid, Iowa.

Joe became a U. S. citizen on September 3, 1968. He was a faithful member of St. Malachys Catholic Church. He was a WW ll Veteran and the oldest member of the Societa Vittoria Italiana of Des Moines, Iowa.  He was a proud father, grandfather, and great grandfather and lived for his family. A bricklayer by trade he loved making and building things. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and telling stories. Even though he was physically in the United States, his mind, spirit, and soul were always revisiting his beloved Italian countryside of his homeland. Giuseppe “Nonno” died at The Sanctuary At The Shore in Grand Haven, Michigan on January 29, 2011.

He is survived by his children, Clotilde “Tilda” Thompson and husband Chuck of Ames, Ia. , Rico Milani and wife Julie of Commerce Township, Michigan, and Rose Perrier and husband Brent of Grand Haven, Michigan; 12 grandchildren, Rita, Rebecca, Michelle, Michael, Nic, Maggie, Tina, Elizabeth, Alexandra, Anthony, Anna Rose, and Olivia; 2 greatgrandchildren Ethan and Lucy. Two sisters Diva Cervetti of Italy, and Sophia Battani of Waukee, Ia. and many nieces and nephews.

Giuseppe was preceded into eternal life by his wife of 60 years Domenica, his parents, and daughter Rena Krug, his brothers Armando and Sivio, his sisters Oliva and Rosa.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday , February 5, 2011, at 10:30 am at St. Malachys Catholic Church in Madrid, Iowa, with burial following at Mt. Hope Cemetery south of Madrid.

1940 – 1943 American Citizen Newspaper Stories

The following news stories from 1938-1939 appeared in the American Citizen, a Des Moines Italian-American newspaper.  Thank you to the Italian American Cultural Center of Iowa for sharing this resource.  The Cultural Center has the entire collection (over 50 years) of the American Citizen on CD – all fully searchable.

If you have photos or additional information concerning these events that you would like to share, please leave a comment below.

March 22, 1940: Italian Lodge Plans Spring Carnival Here

March 29, 1940: Vittoria Lodge to Name Queen Sunday

April 5, 1940: Viking Band Draws Record Crowd Here for Vittoria Dance

June 7, 1940: Snoopin Around the Fort

June 14, 1940: Snoopin Around the Fort

June 21, 1940: LaVittoria Elect New Officers, Hold Dinner in Des Moines

August 23, 1940: LaVittoria Society Holds Dance Sunday

September 13, 1940: LaVittoria Society Announces Officers

October 18, 1940: Mystic, Madrid Men Attend October 12 Event

February 14, 1941: Vittoria Lodge Holds Carnival

August 29, 1941: La Vittoria Italiana Picnic Draws Crowd

September 12, 1941: Farrell Announces Joint Committee to Plan Oct 12 Event

March 27, 1942: Rix Lamberti Dead at 58

October 1, 1943: Columbus Day Program, Banquet Planned by Club

1938 – 1939 American Citizen Newspaper Stories

The following news stories from 1938-1939 appeared in the American Citizen, a Des Moines Italian-American newspaper.  Thank you to the Italian American Cultural Center of Iowa for sharing this resource.  The Cultural Center has the entire collection (over 50 years) of the American Citizen on CD – all fully searchable.

If you have photos or additional information concerning these events that you would like to share, please leave a comment below.

July 15, 1938: Vittoria Lodge holds annual picnic

August 26, 1938: Vittoria Lodge plans second picnic

September 2, 1938: Report on Vittoria Lodge picnic

September 9, 1938: La Vittoria Italiana Represented on  Columbus Memorial Committee

September 9, 1938: Melio Tonini represents Vittoria Lodge on Columbus Memorial Committee

September 9, 1938: Societa Vittoria Italiana sponsors successful dance for Columbus Memorial

September 30, 1938: Another dance given by Vittoria Italiana Lodge

October 7, 1938: Memorial Dedication draws record crowd

October 7, 1938: Columbus Memorial Committee accepts final report

October 7, 1938: Bartolomei Brothers sing at Vittoria Lodge Dance

October 21, 1938: Latest contributions to Memorial Fund given

October 6, 1939: La Vittoria moves headquarters to Des Moines

December 8, 1939: Funeral services held for Angelo Carzoli, member of La Vittoria Italiana

December 8, 1939: La Vittoria Italiana holds successful dance in city

1954 American Citizen Newspaper Stories

 
The following news stories from 1954 appeared in the American Citizen, a Des Moines Italian-American newspaper.  Thank you to the Italian American Cultural Center of Iowa for sharing this resource.  The Cultural Center has the entire collection (over 50 years) of the American Citizen on CD – all fully searchable. 

If you have photos or additional information concerning these events that you would like to share, please leave a comment below.

April 9, 1954: Last Rites for Roberto Caluzzi, Vittoria Lodge member

May 28, 1954: Funeral Rites for Biagio Fontanini, Vittoria Lodge member

June 18, 1954: Vittoria Lodge to Dedicate New Building

June 25, 1954: Vittoria Lodge Elects Officers, Has New Building

July 2, 1954: Vittoria Lodge to Hold Annual July 4 Dance

July 16, 1954: Many Friends Pay Tribute to Dominic Palandri, Vittoria Lodge Member

October 29, 1954: St. Joseph’s Sponsor Viking Dance at Vittoria Lodge

November 19, 1954: Vittoria Lodge to Hold Dance November 24

November 26, 1954: Mary Stefani to Head Societa Vittoria Auxiliary

December 3, 1954: Vittoria Lodge to Hold Dance Dec 10