Natale "Nate" Occhipinti, Sr. passed away peacefully at North Kansas City Hospital Thursday September 3, 2015, surrounded by his loving family. Visitation will be 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Tuesday September 8, at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, 6415 NE Antioch Rd, Gladstone, MO 64119, followed by eulogy and Rosary. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:30 a.m. Entombment will be at Resurrection Mausoleum.

Natale was born June 4, 1922, in Cheyenne, WY, to Sam and Nellie (Benenate) Occhipinti. Natale was a Real Estate Officer / Administrative Branch Chief with the US Department of Agriculture in Kansas City. Previously he worked for the Civil Engineering Division at F. E. Warren AFB, Strategic Air Command in Cheyenne WY, supporting the Corps of Engineers Site Activation Task Force during the construction of the Minuteman Missile Land Based Strategic Deterrent Arm.

He studied engineering at the University of Wyoming before entering the Army in April, 1942, serving as a World War II veteran. He was later a member of the Francis E. Self American Legion Post #6 in Cheyenne WY, and the Campo-Manfre-Barbiere American Legion Post 151 in Kansas City.

Nate was a musician who loved playing the clarinet in the Cheyenne City and American Legion Bands and serving as their Drum Major during parade events. His favorite time of the year was Cheyenne Frontier Days because it was filled with fun band and rodeo events that he enjoyed sharing with his family and friends.

Nate's greatest love was his wife of 67 years, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was an unselfish loving father and grandfather. "Popi" was always there for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved dressing up and playing Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, and enjoyed having a large vegetable garden and fruit trees and sharing the bounty they produced with family and friends.

Nate is survived by his loving wife, Theresa (Risalvato); his children, Salvatore and Annette Occhipinti, Nadine and Jimmy Calcara, Gerry and Randy Jackson, and Anthony and Carolyn Occhipinti; his grandchildren, Anthony and Renita Occhipinti, Natalie Occhipinti, Tony Mike and Toni Michele Calcara, Theresa and James Rich, Phillip Calcara, Christopher Jackson and friend Jayleen Sohs, Benjamin Jackson, Anthony Joseph Occhipinti, and Sofia Occhipinti; great- grandchildren, Alex, Caroline, and Serena Occhipinti, Anthony James "AJ", Isabella, Mia, and Gianna Calcara; sister-in-law, Frances Tousa; and many nieces and nephews.

Our family wishes to thank Linda Orrick of Interim Health Care for the compassionate, loving and constant attentive care she has given to both of our parents.