Steven A. Glorioso

Steven Anthony Glorioso passed away on Wednesday, September 14, 2017 after a brief illness. Steve was born March 27th, 1947, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Joe Glorioso and his wife Carmelina. Steve grew up in Gladstone Missouri, graduating from St. Pius X High School. Steve attended St. Benedict College and received his bachelor’s degree from Villanova University in Philadelphia. Following a round-the-world trip, Steve obtained a Master’s degree in political science from UMKC and began his political career working for Congressman Dick Bolling and later Jackson County Executive George Lehr, as well as Sen. Tom Eagleton. In 1975, Steve was appointed the Recorder of Deeds for Jackson County, the youngest county department director in its history. In 1977 during the Carter administration, Steve was appointed as one of three regional directors of the Department of HEW. In 1981, Steve became the Chief Operating Officer of Tenenbaum and Assoc., a national property tax firm.

In the 1990s, Steve had multiple roles in media, first as radio show co-host of Friendly Fire, the first local “both sides” political talk show, and simultaneously the publisher and columnist for the The New Times, a weekly alternative newspaper. Steve was also a regular commentator on RUCKUS, a weekly current event show that he helped conceive and organize, which continues to air on KCPT. Steve served as an on-air political analyst on KCTV 5, providing analysis and commentary on local, state, and national issues. In 2000, he began working oversees monitoring elections for various international NGO’s, to include; OSCE, ODIHR, IREX, IOM/USAID, IFES, and NDI.

Steve served as senior advisor for Mayor Kay Barnes during her second term, helping to implement her vision of downtown Kansas City, including the development of the Sprint Arena. The campaign or the Sprint Arena funding was one of Steve’s proudest professional achievements. Locally, Steve worked on numerous political campaigns and sat on multiple boards and commissions. In 2013, Steve was named a fellow at the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at KU.

Steve’s thirst for travel was never quenched; he traveled the entire world for both business and pleasure, visiting eighty-eight countries during his lifetime.

Steve was proceeded in death by his father Joe Glorioso, stepmother Wilma Glorioso and stepfather Everett Smith. Steve is survived by his wife, Regina Glorioso, stepson Jack Chandler, stepdaughter Leah Chandler and husband Nathan McCarthy, stepson Justin Hardy and wife Sabrina, mother Carmelina Smith, brother Leslie Smith and wife Laura, sister Patricia Bradley and husband Kipp, numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews, cousins and in laws.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be 4-7 pm Wednesday, September 20 at the Chamber of Commerce Board Room in Union Station. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Harvester’s, Planned Parenthood Great Plains, or a charity your choice.