Joseph Paul DiGiovanni

Joseph Paul DiGiovanni of Kansas City went to heaven on the morning of Monday, May 19, 2025, passing away peacefully surrounded by family, after a remarkably brave battle with leukemia.

To say Joe left a mark in this life is a massive understatement, as seen by the outpouring of family and friends from far and wide in the days before his death. Known as “Joe, Joseph, Joey, Joe Paul, Guzep, Pop and Big Daddy,” he was known for his smiling face and charismatic character, which allowed him to, among other things, be a successful restaurateur for 20 years.

Joe was born to Salvatore (Sam) and Ethel DiGiovanni on November 5, 1947 in Kansas City, Missouri, attending St. Francis Xavier and Visitation grade schools, then graduating from Rockhurst High School in 1966. The following four years were spent attending his father’s alma mater, Notre Dame, from which he graduated in 1970. His mother jokingly commented at one time that while there, he “majored in traveling.”

Following college, he joined his father in the family business of Happy Hollow Liquor Stores, where he remained until the sale of the final store in 1985. This led him to open Joe D’s Wine Bar Cafe in Brookside, a staple in the area for 19 years serving delicious food with a nationally acclaimed wine list. Joe was frequently seen “making the rounds” to greet customers and spend time making them feel welcome, always holding a glass of wine by the stem (as one should) while clad in his signature white tennis shoes.

Joe is survived by his wife Cynthia, his two children Angela DiGiovanni (Chad), Adam DiGiovanni (Mandy), his step-daughter Summer Serrano and step-son Clifton Ambroz, five beautiful grandchildren: Gianna, Lorenzo, Noah, Nathan and Xavier, his brother Ron DiGiovanni (Jackie), and sister Maria Howard (Tommy), along with nieces Ashley Bogard, Roseann Hawk, Jennifer DiGiovanni, and Sara Stevens, and nephews Sean DiGiovanni (Gretchen), Travis Cahill (Amy), Sal DiGiovanni (Lauren), and Brian Christie (Jessica). He also leaves behind his beloved “adopted” brother Jose Uriquola (Sylvia), who flew in from Mexico City to visit him in his final days.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents Sam and Ethel, and sister Cynthia Frederico.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the nurses, physicians and staff at the KU Cancer Center at Westwood, as well as at the University of Kansas Medical Center, and to the staff at KC Hospice House. Their dedication and personal attention to Joe in the last 19 months, as well as in his final weeks and days, was above and beyond and will be forever remembered.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given in his memory to The University of Kansas Cancer Center online at https://giving.kansashealthsystem.com/give/521581/#!/donation/checkout or you may mail a check to The University of Kansas Health System, Attn: Fund Development, 11300 Corporate Ave, Mailstop 9241, Lenexa, KS 66219.

A Celebration of Life for Joe will be held on Saturday, May 31st from 12 - 4 pm, J.J.’s Restaurant, 4810 Roanoke Parkway in Kansas City. Per Joe’s specific request: please bring stories and lots of laughter. When asked what he wanted us to say for him after he was gone, his answer was, “how much love and friendship has surrounded me in these last few days”.