Angelo Anthony Naccarato, 89

Angelo Anthony Naccarato, 89, was born to George A. and Ruby Naccarato on June 24, 1929, in Priest River, Idaho. He lived his entire life in Priest River and died on January 9, 2019.

One of eight children born to George and Ruby, Angel attended the Settlement School during his early years and graduated from Priest River High School in 1947. While in high school, he dated Mary Jeanne Barnes; they later married and celebrated 70 years of marriage on December 10, 2018.

Several words could be used to describe Angel; however, for those who really knew him, all would agree on “hard working” and “generous.” In his younger days, he was a logger and a mill worker. For the majority of his working life, he was a carpenter and was known for his beautiful finish-work cabinetry. A living testimony to his carpentry-skill blessing can be seen at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church where he built the altar and the wooden manger that displays the nativity scene each Christmas.

His real passion was as a farmer; he and Jeanne bought a house and 40 acres in Bodie Canyon in 1966 where he raised beef cattle, pigs for Italian sausage, and grew hay crops. While they retired and sold the cattle several years ago, Angel helped his brother, George, put up hay each year nearly to the end of his life.

He and Jeanne lived a very simple and humble life together, yet Angel always had money in his wallet for someone in need, time to help a friend who could use an extra hand, and talents to share with those after him. His kids often joked about how much more patient he was when teaching his grandkids things than they remembered as kids themselves. All have very special memories and funny stories about their grandpa, but the most important thing they will carry forward from him was his constant example of being such a decent human.

For all of his life, Angel was a member of St. Catherine’s Church and spent many years as a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Angel’s wife, Jeanne, son Don (Lynn), son Jeff (Joy), and daughter Nancy (Larry) survive him. He has ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his second great-grandchild, Kurt Anthony Mitchell Bleeker.

A rosary and funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 19, 2019, at 11 a.m. in St. Catherine’s Church in Priest River. Arrangements are being handled by Sherman-Campbell in Newport and burial will be at the Evergreen Cemetery in Priest River. A celebration of Angel’s life will continue immediately following at Popeye’s Lounge in downtown Priest River.

In lieu of flowers, Jeanne has asked that donations be made to the Knights of Columbus Hall Restoration Project, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, or Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers.

Sherman-Campbell Funeral and Cremation Services in Priest River is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at shermancampbell.com.