Joseph S. Gianino

Gianino, Joseph S., passed away, Wednesday, September 8, 2021.

Loving husband of the late Nancy Gianino (nee Lambert). Beloved father of David (Jill) Gianino, Michael Gianino, Emily Mattie, Matthew Gianino and the late Patrick Gianino. Grandfather of Julia Mattie.

Joe was born in 1932 to Sicilian immigrant parents in The Hill neighborhood of St. Louis. He went to Shaw school and graduated from Southwest High School before attending the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. He entered the Army as a Pharmacist and was posted in France, where he enjoyed taking leave throughout Europe in a little car he bought from a soldier who was going back home. After the army, Joe worked at the pharmacy in Barnes Hospital, where he met his future wife, Nancy, who worked there as a nurse. They married in 1960, and by 1970, they had four children. They went from an apartment in St. Louis to a small house in Bel Ridge, a larger house in Manchester, and finally a home in Ellisville, Missouri.

When we tell people stories about our father, we have to preface them with "Now keep in mind…this man is a genius." He had a scientific way of looking at everything, from the scaffold he built to paint four square feet of ceiling, to the way he boiled his water for coffee for exactly one minute and twenty-three seconds. He was a life-long music fan, taking us to Powell Hall to hear his favorite composer (Beethoven). He loved fishing, especially with his big brother Sam. They took many trips to Bennet Springs and Montauk, and argued about important things, like how large a pancake was supposed to be.

He was a meticulous note-taker, recording everything from the best place to buy navel oranges, to the day with the highest rainfall every year since the inception of time. Within his home are stacks and stacks of binders and journals with all of our life milestones, his favorite authors, and every lightbulb he ever purchased. He loved watching birds, walking weekly at the YMCA, a very warm home, and his family most of all. His many quirks have been passed on to each of us, and with time we'll all have a bit of Papa Joe intertwined into our daily routines. He was loved by so many, but by his family most of all. Though he will be dearly missed, our memories will keep him near.

Services: Memorial Gathering at the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, Wednesday, 5 p.m.- 7 p.m. Interment PRIVATE. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Friends may sign the family’s on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.