Anthony Nino Gurera

Anthony “Nino” Gurera of Kansas City, Missouri passed away on June 20, 2023 in the presence of his loving family.  Nino was born June 24, 1943, in Kansas City, Missouri to the late Joseph and Nancy (Marchese) Gurera.  He was one of 4 children.  

Nino knew he would marry the love of his life Phyllis Palmentere the first time he saw her.  They married February 11, 1967 and spent the next 56 years loving each other every day.  Nino is survived by his loving wife and caregiver Phyllis; his sister Becky and her husband John Malicoat; his brother John Gurera; his 6 children; Joe and Tonia Gurera – Anthony, Rosie, Lucy, Michaela, Anthony, Nicholas, & Eva; Nancy and Rob Lane – Jordan & Teresa; Mary and Brant Beste – Paige & Brooke; Therese and Mark Ismert – Natalie, Gabrielle, Thomas & Annie; Charles and Rebecca Gurera – Sophia, Isabelle, Joseph & Lauren; Gertie Kass – Grant & Reece.  

Nino graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School.  After graduation, he was co-owner of Nino’s Pizzeria in Leavenworth, KS.  He joined the Army Reserves in 1965.  After his time in the Army, he joined Local Union 8 and started his career in plumbing.  Nino’s faith life changed when he made the Cursillo in 1968.  Nino touched countless lives during his time teaching High School CCD, Marriage Encounter classes and bringing the Eurcharist to the sick and homebound.  He was the 1st recipient of the Bishops Recognition Award for outstanding work in the church.   He started and owned Santa Fe Plumbing from 1978-1992.  In 1982, he was plumbing St Thomas More Church when he was buried to his chest after the walls of a sewer ditch caved in on him.  St Joseph protected him from serious injury.  Nino spent 20 years at Ford Motor Company before he retired.

Nino will be remembered for his deep faith in Christ, his love for a big bowl of basta, his glowing smile, and his devotion to his beautiful wife and family.  Before getting sick, he enjoyed trips to Florida and playing golf and bocce.

Nino is preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Nancy Gurera; his in-laws Charles and Gertrude Palmentere; brother Carl Gurera; and sister in law Mary Lou “Mimi” Smith.

Pallbearers – Anthony Gurera, Tommy Ismert, Joseph Gurera, Grant Kass, Reece Kass, Joe Malicoat, & William Gurera

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for Hairy Cell Leukemia or Multiple Myeloma.   https://www.myeloma.org/donate or   https://www.Hairycellleukemia.org/donate