A Great One entered this world on May 22, 1943 through his loving parents Helen Cosentino and Steve Cosentino.  Dr. Henry Stephen Cosentino passed away peacefully at Sharon Lane Health and Rehabilitation on August 20, 2024.  Services will be held on Thursday, September 19, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1357 NE 42nd Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64116, beginning with the Rosary at 4:15 p.m. and the Funeral Mass at 4:30 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life / Visitation from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

With a little additional love and care from his aunt, Lena Cosentino and Uncle Johnny Cosentino, Henry embarked on a lifelong journey of learning and caregiving.  After graduating from Glennon High School and Rockhurst College, Henry went on to become a Doctor of Dental Surgery through the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. He started his career at the dental clinic of the Jackson County Public Hospital and worked at Children's Mercy Hospital.  Northlanders of many ages will remember the care and compassion he gave while helping young patents at the Gladstone Dental Building for decades. He also worked as a pediatric dentist in Oak Grove, Missouri.  In the twilight of Henry's career, he dedicated himself to caring for the underprivileged at the Truman Medical Center - East Dental Clinic with his friend Dr. Susan Ellis.  Henry saw many young children who were Medicaid recipients without access to a dentist and was known as someone who really knew how to put the special needs of kids at ease.

After bringing his son, Stephen, and daughter, Helena, into this world, he enjoyed fun times and many card games with his first wife Patricia Fiorello and her beloved mother, Kitty, father, Joe, brother and sister-in-law Nick and Bunny and their sons Joe Mike, Bill and Nick. In the early 90's he regularly enjoyed Sunday breakfast with the Serrone family. Henry would later love his role as Opa to Grace and Nik Van der Drift and their parents, Amy and Pieter and grandmother MK. Holidays were always spent at the home of Henry's sister, Carmeline Brancato and her husband, Nate Brancato, Sr.  Henry spent a lot of time as "Uncle Beeba" to his nephews and niece Mario, Steve, Nate and Joanna Brancato.  He was passionate about Italian food and always considered Helen Cosentino (Maw Maw)'s Christmas Eve Feast of the Seven Fishes (and several types of Melanzane) to be the meal of the year followed by Pasta Coza (macaroni made on a wire) and Maw Maw's Tarallis.

Henry traveled the globe from Italy to the far East inspiring a family of world travelers including his daughter-in-law Lea Cosentino (Totta) and her parents Kathleen and Anthony.  He loved the arts, particularly Italian opera.  He was thrilled to attend the first performance in the Kauffman Arts Center, Puccini's Turandot, which happened to feature his granddaughter, Kate Cosentino in the children's' chorus. He loved history and geography, frequently enlightening his grandson, Roman Cosentino, with obscure facts and, of course, the wonderful history of the Cosentino family's trade as artists who decorated churches when they immigrated from Calabria.  His father, Steve, helped his uncle Dante with his frescos in Our Lady of Sorrows church which remain to this day. Henry was a master of Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, and the New York Times Crossword Puzzle.  He loved fishing, great movies and classic sit-coms.  Henry also took care of a number of family cats over the years including Fettuccini, Tortellini, Linguini, Melanzane, and Rudolfo.

Henry was a longtime member of the UNICO Italian American service organization where he served as President from 1992 to 1993.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Unico Scholarship Fund c/o Unico 3008 NE 102nd Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64155. Helping area students is an appropriate tribute to his kindness, character and lifelong support of children.