Angelo Samuel Tunis

September 17, 1923 - December 2, 2011

Angelo Samuel Tunis, 88, died December 2, 2011, in Salt Lake City after a brief illness. Angelo was born in Scranton, PA, on September 17, 1923, to parents Christopher and Mary Ann (Caputo) Tunis. Angelo married Mary Clare Beninato on September 17th, 1953, at Sacred Heart Church in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was an Army veteran of World War II: he attended Medical Technician School, and served as a medic under General Patton’s 3rd Army. Battles and campaigns: Normandy Northern France Rhineland and Ardennes Central Europe. He received several medals: Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, and European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 5 bronze stars. From 1946 until his retirement, Angelo “Tiny”, worked as an athletic trainer for several professional baseball clubs: Greensboro, Charleston, Indianapolis, the Columbus Jets, the New Orleans Pelicans, Loyola University, and the San Diego Padres. Angelo was inducted into the Louisiana Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame in Covington, LA on June 21, 1996, in recognition of his dedicated service to the Pittsburgh Pirate organization from 1950-1963. Upon relocating to Salt Lake City around 1983, Angelo became a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church where he served as an usher. He also volunteered for the Foster Grandparents Program, and was a Delta Center usher for many years. Angelo loved sports, especially baseball, and the Utah Jazz. He was beloved by many nieces and nephews whom he entertained by playing the accordion at family gatherings. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Clare; daughter-in law Julie Tunis and granddaughter Jackie Tunis; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, son Chris Tunis, sisters Victoria Tunis, Angelina Mastroianni, Santa Bonacci, Mary Tunis, Josephine Green, and Catherine Chieffallo; and brothers George, Thomas and Serafino Tunis. The family would like to thank special friend, Gary Kay, for his kindness and support to Angelo during the last several years. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 1975 South 23rd East, on Friday, December 16th, 2011, at 11 a.m. with visitation from 10-11 a.m.