George R Lipari, 65, Overland Park, KS, ascended into Heaven on Monday, November 13, 2017, at KU Medical Center.  He was born March 16, 1952, to Ross and Josephine Lipari.

George began his lifelong career as a young boy at their family run grocery store, Lipari Brothers Thriftway. You would have found him in the back of the store doing his daily routine and doing it with pride, bagging potatoes.  As he grew into his own and became a young hardworking man, he started his own Thriftway in Independence, MO, in his early 20's with the guidance of his father Ross. He continued his passion and partnered in building another grocery store in 1986 named 'Price Chopper' on 103rd and State Line, later selling Thriftway. In 1991, George branded his name on Red Bridge and Holmes in Kansas City, MO, calling his store, 'Lipari's Sunfresh'. This is where George placed his name, his reputation, and poured out all of his efforts in order to support the future of his family…seven days a week was a normal work week for him.  Not only did George run the store for over 25 successful years but he has also provided immense job opportunities for the community as well as giving back through several charities. George was an active board member with Retail Grocers Association (RGA).

Some of his true passions in life (outside of the grocery business) were muscle cars, boating, hunting, spending "a lot" of time at the Lake of the Ozarks, on a stool at Anthony's Restaurant and Sand Trap Bar and Grill, BBQ and smoking meats, horses (especially Cody), and having traditional Italian Sunday dinners with his wife, children and in-laws, coupled with a very dry sense of humor.

The family would like to thank all of the doctors and nurses at KU Medical Center that cared for George during the last four weeks.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ross Anthony; brother Louis, John; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mary and Anthony Fasone; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Sal and Joey Fasone; and brother in-law, Nick Pizzichino.

George is survived by his beautiful and loving wife of 42 years, Linda; son and daughter-in-law, Ross and Mary Lipari; daughter and son-in-law, Jolynn and Anthony Tarantino; daughter and son-in-law, Maria and Kyle Fetters; grandchildren, Isabelle Lipari, Ava Lipari, Baby Girl Lipari on the way, Georgia Tarantino, Anthony Tarantino III, Joey Tarantino, Josie Fetters; mother, Josephine Lipari; sisters-in-law, Gloria Pizzichino and Anita Lipari; uncles and aunts, Louis and Nancy Lipari, John and Gloria Lipari; nieces and nephews, Anthony and Lynn Fasone, Jean and Joe Mike Fiorello, Mary Beth Fasone, Luann and Carl Ragusa, Mike and Jami Pizzichino, Jody Lipari, Ross A. Lipari, Florence and Louie Battaglia; and many, many favorite cousins and family that loved George dearly.

The Rosary will be prayed at 2:30 p.m. followed by Visitation from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 16th, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 911 E. Missouri Ave., Kansas City, MO 64106. The Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 17th, at Holy Rosary Church. Burial will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest donations to the American Cancer Society and Holy Rosary Church.

Pallbearers: Carl Ragusa, Mike Pizzichino, Anthony Fasone, Ross A. Lipari, Joe Mike Fiorello, and Louie Battaglia.

Honorary Pallbearers: Victor Salazar, Vince Vitale, Joe Goodfello, Carl Tutorino, Butch Spino, Chuck Mussorici, Benny Joe Cardello, Chuck Cacioppo, Phil Scimeca, and Anthony Mange.

George will always be remembered by his love for family, and devoting his entire life around his wife and children. The most outstanding characteristics that he possessed was strength and perseverance; he always believed in going all the way or don't go at all.

Condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com