Ascanio Puntillo, 91, died peacefully on Dec. 3, 2013, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Hobart with his family by his side after a brief illness.
He was born Sept. 30, 1922, to the late Anna (Muni) and Carmello Puntillo, both immigrants from Italy, in East Chicago, Ind. He was the first member of his family to graduate from high school (EC Roosevelt) in 1940.
He married Anna Basso on July 1, 1944, at Immaculate Conception Church, East Chicago and they raised their four children in Highland, Ind. She preceded him in death.
He served his country with honor. He was a Master Sargent in the U.S. Army in the Pacific during World War II. As a member of the Military Police stationed in Japan he was one of the first Americans to view Hiroshima after the atomic bomb dropped. He escorted Russian diplomats inspecting the devastation of the bombing.
He returned to civilian life and the restaurant business. He owned Puntillo’s Lounge in East Chicago from 1950 to 1968 where his mother and sister Connie, did all the cooking while he ran the bar business. He and his wife owned and operated the Dairy Queen in Highland for 12 years.
He then co-owned Mama Puntillo’s with his brothers Sebastian and Benny. Later he went on his own and bought and ran Ascanio’s Quarterback Club in East Chicago. Throughout his life, he was the consummate host and made friends wherever he went.
He retired from the restaurant business at age 60 and went to refrigeration school in Chicago. He and his buddy Glen (Turkey) Miller worked together repairing ice machines until the age of 90 this past April.
He started Puntillo’s Notre Dame Booster Club in the 50s when they could not fill the football stadium. This group of 100 fans attended all of the home games. Later they would attend all the home games and one away game and then travel for a week to Hong Kong or the Philippines or some other exotic destination.
Ascanio was one of the oldest members of the Cesare Batisti Lodge #27. He was a past president of the lodge and was selected Man of the Year in 1985. During his presidency the new lodge in Schererville was built. He was a 4th Degree Knight member of the Knights of Columbus, and belonged to the American Legion.
He celebrated his 90th birthday in style with 150 of his closest friends and family. A month later he went on an Honor Flight to Washington DC honoring World War II Veterans. This was an absolute highlight of his life.
Survivors include his children, Charles (Cindy), Lake Geneva, John (Bride), Rosemary (the late Thomas) Dolatowski, both Burlington, June (Joe) Tellez, Highland; grandchildren, Marie (Kerem) Korumnus, Kate (James) Vagle, Charles (Jane) Puntillo, Elizabeth (Mark) Dolatowski, Michael Dolatowski, Paige Puntillo, John Puntillo, Leo Puntillo, Joe Tellez, Jessica Tellez; great-grandchildren, Elena, Sabiha, and Devrim; his sister, Auralia Crouch; and cousins; nieces and nephews.
He was further preceded in death by his brothers, Anthony, Sebastian, Benny; sisters, Constance Polito and Carmella (Kaptur) Nardoni.
Friends may join the family in remembering Ascanio and celebrating his life at The Burns Kish Funeral Home in Munster on Dec. 6, from 4 to 8 p.m. The funeral Mass is at Our lady of Grace Church in Highland on Dec. 7, at 10:30 a.m.
A special thank you to Oscar his landlord, friend and caregiver.
Memorials to the Honor Flight of Indiana allowing other World War II veterans to experience this wonderful opportunity are suggested.
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