Samuel J. Gianino

Samuel Joseph Gianino Jr., 74, of Lee's Summit, Mo. passed away at his home in Lee’s Summit, Mo. on Saturday, Jan. 20th. Born in St. Louis in the Italian community known as “The Hill” and a golden gloves boxing champion in his late teens, he opened his first restaurant, named after his mother (Angelina Ma Ma Mia’s), in his late twenties. Moving to Kansas City in 1976, he opened Sam & Carmen’s Pasta House Ristorante in 1980, where he introduced Kansas City to a new wave of Italian food such as Steak Mudiga and Spiedini. In 1987, he joined Kansas City’s legendary Jasper’s where he would remain a stalwart presence for the next 30 years. He is survived by his sisters Joanne Mantia, Rosie Kessler, and Gloria Williams, his brothers Dominic and Ricardo, his wife Peggy, his children: Tracy, Tina, Angela, Salvatore III, and Shannon, and his grandchildren: Taylor, Keagan, Finley, Arlo, Emoree, and Salvatore IV. Services are Friday, Jan. 26, at 10am at Speak’s Suburban Chapel. Visitation starts at 6pmThursday evening.