Attilio (Moose) Puccinelli passed away Feb 11, 2011 in Sparks. He was born May 6, 1923, in Porcari, Italy, to Giulio Puccinelli and Leonida Fornaciari. Along with his parents and sister Angie, he immigrated to the United States, arriving at Ellis Island in 1935. His family settled in Virginia City, where Moose attended the 4th Ward School, played on the basketball team, and played tuba for the school band. He also worked with his father in the family business, the 62 Bar.
In 1941, he moved to Reno and joined the Army to serve in World War II. He was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds he received while in Okinawa. After his tour of duty, he returned to Reno in 1944 and worked with his father as a bartender at both the Rivera Hotel and Restaurant and the Crystal Bar before joining him in opening the Elbow Room Bar in Sparks.
In the late 1960s, Moose opened Nashville Nevada in Reno, and it became the most popular country western dance hall and bar in the area. After many successful years, he sold the business and repurchased the Elbow Room, where he continued to work as a bartender until his retirement.
In 2007, Moose married Geraldine DePaoli-Puccinelli and shared a wonderful life with her until his death. Moose was an avid sportsman who loved hunting and fishing with his son and many friends. He was a member of many bowling leagues, and was an avid fan of UNR basketball. Throughout his life, Moose "never met a stranger," and will be remembered for his big smile, his larger-than-life personality, and his ability to charm anyone with a witty story or well-timed remark. He will be greatly missed.
Moose was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Angie Kujath. He is survived by his wife, Geri, and sister Josephine Smith (Jim); his children, Jim (Debbie), Patsy and Debi Puccinelli; step children David DePaoili, Marcie Marco Stimac and Karen DePaoli; his grandchildren Joseph Puccinelli, Christy Krause (Damon), and many nieces, nephews and great grandchildren.
In 1941, he moved to Reno and joined the Army to serve in World War II. He was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds he received while in Okinawa. After his tour of duty, he returned to Reno in 1944 and worked with his father as a bartender at both the Rivera Hotel and Restaurant and the Crystal Bar before joining him in opening the Elbow Room Bar in Sparks.
In the late 1960s, Moose opened Nashville Nevada in Reno, and it became the most popular country western dance hall and bar in the area. After many successful years, he sold the business and repurchased the Elbow Room, where he continued to work as a bartender until his retirement.
In 2007, Moose married Geraldine DePaoli-Puccinelli and shared a wonderful life with her until his death. Moose was an avid sportsman who loved hunting and fishing with his son and many friends. He was a member of many bowling leagues, and was an avid fan of UNR basketball. Throughout his life, Moose "never met a stranger," and will be remembered for his big smile, his larger-than-life personality, and his ability to charm anyone with a witty story or well-timed remark. He will be greatly missed.
Moose was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Angie Kujath. He is survived by his wife, Geri, and sister Josephine Smith (Jim); his children, Jim (Debbie), Patsy and Debi Puccinelli; step children David DePaoili, Marcie Marco Stimac and Karen DePaoli; his grandchildren Joseph Puccinelli, Christy Krause (Damon), and many nieces, nephews and great grandchildren.
Attilio (Moose) Puccinelli passed away Feb 11, 2011 in Sparks. He was born May 6, 1923, in Porcari, Italy, to Giulio Puccinelli and Leonida Fornaciari. Along with his parents and sister Angie, he immigrated to the United States, arriving at Ellis Island in 1935. His family settled in Virginia City, where Moose attended the 4th Ward School, played on the basketball team, and played tuba for the school band. He also worked with his father in the family business, the 62 Bar.
In 1941, he moved to Reno and joined the Army to serve in World War II. He was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds he received while in Okinawa. After his tour of duty, he returned to Reno in 1944 and worked with his father as a bartender at both the Rivera Hotel and Restaurant and the Crystal Bar before joining him in opening the Elbow Room Bar in Sparks.
In the late 1960s, Moose opened Nashville Nevada in Reno, and it became the most popular country western dance hall and bar in the area. After many successful years, he sold the business and repurchased the Elbow Room, where he continued to work as a bartender until his retirement.
In 2007, Moose married Geraldine DePaoli-Puccinelli and shared a wonderful life with her until his death. Moose was an avid sportsman who loved hunting and fishing with his son and many friends. He was a member of many bowling leagues, and was an avid fan of UNR basketball. Throughout his life, Moose "never met a stranger," and will be remembered for his big smile, his larger-than-life personality, and his ability to charm anyone with a witty story or well-timed remark. He will be greatly missed.
Moose was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Angie Kujath. He is survived by his wife, Geri, and sister Josephine Smith (Jim); his children, Jim (Debbie), Patsy and Debi Puccinelli; step children David DePaoili, Marcie Marco Stimac and Karen DePaoli; his grandchildren Joseph Puccinelli, Christy Krause (Damon), and many nieces, nephews and great grandchildren.
In 1941, he moved to Reno and joined the Army to serve in World War II. He was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds he received while in Okinawa. After his tour of duty, he returned to Reno in 1944 and worked with his father as a bartender at both the Rivera Hotel and Restaurant and the Crystal Bar before joining him in opening the Elbow Room Bar in Sparks.
In the late 1960s, Moose opened Nashville Nevada in Reno, and it became the most popular country western dance hall and bar in the area. After many successful years, he sold the business and repurchased the Elbow Room, where he continued to work as a bartender until his retirement.
In 2007, Moose married Geraldine DePaoli-Puccinelli and shared a wonderful life with her until his death. Moose was an avid sportsman who loved hunting and fishing with his son and many friends. He was a member of many bowling leagues, and was an avid fan of UNR basketball. Throughout his life, Moose "never met a stranger," and will be remembered for his big smile, his larger-than-life personality, and his ability to charm anyone with a witty story or well-timed remark. He will be greatly missed.
Moose was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Angie Kujath. He is survived by his wife, Geri, and sister Josephine Smith (Jim); his children, Jim (Debbie), Patsy and Debi Puccinelli; step children David DePaoili, Marcie Marco Stimac and Karen DePaoli; his grandchildren Joseph Puccinelli, Christy Krause (Damon), and many nieces, nephews and great grandchildren.
Family Members
Siblings
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
