Ames Edward Grisanti Jr., 79 of Buckeye, AZ formerly of Thief River Falls, MN passed away on Monday, December 4, 2017 in Las Vegas, NV.

Celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 10:00 AM at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation with his family will be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home.

Ames Edward Grisanti Jr. was born May 14, 1938 in Chicago, IL, son of Ames and Irene (Westyska) Grisanti Sr. He was raised on Chicago's south-side where he attended Fenger High School.

Ames entered the US Marines in January of 1956, he served overseas in Okinawa, Japan. While in the Marines he received the good conduct medal.  He was honorably discharged in January of 1959.

On August 20, 1960 he married Marge Giangrande in Chicago, IL. They had six children: Ames III, Frank, Regina, Rose, Leslie and Lisa. Marge and Ames made their home in the Chicago area while he worked for Edward Gray Construction as a heavy equipment operator.

Ames had an entrepreneurial spirit like no other. Even as a boy he learned how to sell, barter and trade from "junkin" as he called it, with his Father Ames Senior and Uncle Bruno. In 1974 he moved the family to Thief River Falls, MN where he owned and operated Phillips Iron & Metal. Several years later, he purchased Forsberg's Inc, co-owned Evans Steel and Bayside Recycling in Duluth, MN. Ames was very active in forming business relationships, which often led to lifelong friendships. Without a formal college education, Ames grew all four companies, sold them, and they are still thriving today.

On November 22, 1999 he married Ann Blazek in Las Vegas, NV. They made their summer home in Thief River Falls, until retiring to Buckeye, AZ in the fall of 2016. He enjoyed his time with "Annie" making frequent trips to antique stores all over the country.

Although his work brought him around the world and back many times, Ames enjoyed playing cards and golfing with his friends. He always said his favorite place was his lake cabin on Kansas City Road in Waskish, MN. That's where he enjoyed fishing, regular happy hours at The West Wind Resort and morning coffee with "the guys" at Frank's. He also enjoyed wood burning and making yard furniture for his family and friends.

Ames was proud of his Italian heritage, especially when it came to food. If you happen to pass by his home he always had a batch of his sausage and peppers ready to share – the hotter the better. His love of food was matched by his love of the Chicago Bears, despite many disappointing seasons over the years.

Ames was a member of the American Legion, the VFW and the Elks Club in Thief River Falls, MN.

He is survived by his wife Ann; children Ames Grisanti III and Laura Mack of Topsfield,  MA , Regina and Kevin Sanders of Goodridge, MN, Rose and Myron Jesme of Thief River Falls, MN, Leslie Grisanti and Jeff Johnson of Minneapolis, MN, Lisa and Tony Lowell of Thief River Falls, MN; step-daughter Liz and Josh Thompson of Mesa, AZ; grandchildren Landon and Christopher Sanders, Riely Jesme and Dave Pederson, Erin Jesme and Matt Webster, Alison Jesme, Hailey, Logan and Cole Johnson, Ellie and Guy Mercil, Jesse Lowell, his sister Rita Gentilella and brother and sister-in-law Richard and Jeanette Rapacki, along with many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents Ames and Irene Grisanti, son Frank Grisanti, granddaughter Sarah Rose Sanders and his sister Corrine Martin.