Joseph David Fulitano

Joseph David Fulitano was born on March 6, 1951, in Des Moines, Iowa. He passed peacefully on May 23, 2025, at home in West Des Moines from complications of severe COPD.

Dave attended St. Anthony's grade school and graduated from Dowling High School for boys in 1969. He continued his education at the University of Iowa receiving a Bachelor of Arts in 1974. Dave was a lifelong Hawkeye fan; he loved Iowa football and basketball. He also followed the L.A. Lakers, Dodgers, NASCAR, Indy and countless other teams, games, and races. Dave was a member of Christ the King Church, where he wed Barbara Schneider (Smith) in 2001. The two enjoyed traveling across the US and Europe together. Dave was an accomplished/professional photographer earlier in his life and eventually retired after working many years for Polk County. Dave had lifelong friendships with the guys he went to school with, and he looked forward to their monthly lunches and dinners where they told stories of their family, friends, Italian heritage, and the many shenanigans (both past and present).

Dave loved music and went to many concerts, both as a fan and a photographer. He reminisced with family the night before he passed, of The Who’s 1975 show at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, multiple shows of the 1978 Rolling Stones cross-country tour, and many others. Dave also publicly performed occasionally, singing and playing guitar, sometimes with notable artists. He also enjoyed photography as a hobby, gardening, cooking, fly fishing, and his pets Emma and Maxx (and several others over the years…Zoro, Zelda, Zoey, Van Gogh.)

Dave leaves behind his loving wife Barb of 24 years, her son, Barry (Julie) Schneider, his siblings Anne (Jim) Trees, Jeannie (Gary) Nogel, Joy (Dave) Barsetti, Jill (John) Avery, John (Bridget) Fulitano, Aunts Kay Shanklin and Sue Halligan, multiple nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and many lifelong friends.

Dave was proceeded in death by his parents, Joseph, and Joyce (Halligan) Fulitano.

Dave requested no formal service/funeral and asked that any desired memorial contributions be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude's Children's Hospital charities.