Joseph Frank Brancato, 91, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri. A man of immense kindness and legendary storytelling, Joe was a devoted husband, father, brother, "Papa," and friend.

Services will be held on Wednesday, January 7, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. followed by a Prayer Service at 2:30 p.m. Entombment will be at Resurrection Mausoleum.

Joe was born on May 18, 1934, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Joseph and Margaret (Oddo) Brancato. A graduate of Northeast High School, he attended the University of Missouri before enlisting in the United States Army. He served with great pride as a medic during the Korean War, a role that defined his lifelong commitment to caring for others.

On May 21, 1958, Joe married the love of his life, Marie Cuccia. Together, they built a beautiful life spanning 67 years of marriage. A tireless entrepreneur, Joe's career reflected his vibrant spirit and work ethic. From his early days as a newspaper boy to his time with Household Finance and as a vacuum salesman, Joe eventually owned and operated numerous local businesses, including the Hula Hut, Terrace Lounge, Arabian Nights, Board Rooms, House and Fed GI's, The Quit Smoking Book, Concession Stand at Union Station, Movie Theatre, Leo's Pizza, and last but not least, Excel Linen.

Joe touched countless lives with his generosity. Whether he was gifting someone a signature Excel Linen light-up pen or sharing one of his many captivating life stories, he made everyone feel seen and valued. He was overwhelmed by the amount of people who came to see him as his life neared its end.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Margaret Brancato (Oddo); his in-laws, Dominick and Mamie Begulia-Cuccia; step mother-in-law, Anna Palmisano Cuccia; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Sal and Rose Esther Cuccia; and daughter-in-law, Marie Fontana Brancato. He is survived by his devoted wife, Marie Cuccia Brancato; his five children, Joe Vic (Denise), Dominic, Margie (Rick) Watson, Frank (Vicki), and Anthony; his sister, Mary Sue Brancato; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Joe and Francesca Cuccia. He leaves behind a legacy of 14 grandchildren: Joseph, Johnny, Marie, Marie (Joe), Joe Frank (Jordan), Victor (Tanner), Annamarie (Chuck), Frankie John (Mia), Joe (Rosemarie), Marie (Nick), Lucia (Stephen), and Joe; 18 great-grandchildren (with one on the way); his nieces and nephew, Donna Dernosek, Dominic Cuccia, Antoinette Stone, Margo Defeo; and his best friend, John Gurera of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Serving as Pallbearers are Joseph Brancato, Johnny Brancato, Joe Frank Brancato, Victor Joe Brancato, Frankie John Pisciotta, Joe Pisciotta, Joe Brancato, Chuck Cuda and Jake Olah.

Honorary Pallbearers include Joe Porrello, Joe Plaz, Michael Balano, John Gurera, Anthony Paris, Augie Spallo, John Pace, Charlie Passantino, and the late Joe Mike Christifano.

The family extends a special thank you to Elevate Hospice, Dr. John Campobasso, and Dr. Steve Cicero. Deepest gratitude is also shared for his dedicated caregivers: Sue Lau, Nurse Sammi Curtis, grandsons Joe Pisciotta, Johnny Brancato, Frankie John Pisciotta, Rosemarie Tristanio, and Rick Watson.

Condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com

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Joe was born on May 18, 1934, the first child of Joseph V. Brancato and Margaret J. (Oddo) Brancato.

Growing up in Kansas City, Missouri in the 1930s and 40s, Joe enjoyed an all-American childhood and never realized any differences between his Italian heritage and that of his classmates and neighbors.  He would say that he thought everyone ate basta and sugo on Sundays and that he thought "gargocholi" was an English word, not even knowing the word "artichoke."  Not until the fateful morning when his alarm clock didn't sound, resulting in his switching high schools from Northeast High School to Glennon High School, did he start hanging around the "North End" and meeting friends of the same Italian heritage.  It was a homecoming of sorts where suddenly he shared so many common aspects of life with these boys who would become his lifelong friends.

Joe was a storyteller, and he had a life filled with events that made for some very entertaining stories.  One such story involves a foot race in the North End where he and the other younger boys his age raced each other while the guys ten years older bet on the different runners.  Joe ran barefoot and won the race decidedly.  The story goes that after the race, one of the older kids pulled him to the side and explained that Joe would be a heavy favorite in the next race and betting on him would be heavy.  Joe was asked to throw the race by acting like he stepped on a rock with his barefoot.  Joe refused, but such started a lifelong journey of the street smarts that Joe would learn throughout his life.

Joe attended the University of Missouri-Columbia before taking voluntary induction into the United States Army where he served in Korea as a medic.  While in Korea, Joe met a young homeless orphaned Korean boy named Willie, whom he treated like a son.  Joe's compassion for helping others less fortunate is exemplified by his care for this young orphan boy.  He provided him with new clothes, baseball glove, time and attention.  When Joe's time in Korea ended, Joe paid a local orphanage for Willie to stay there.  Joe would tell several stories of his time in Korea, the people he met and the lessons he learned.

Upon his return to the States, while driving up St. John Boulevard, Joe would tell that story of how he saw "Sal Cuccia's little sister" walking with her mother.  Sal's little sister, Marie Cuccia, was all grown up now and Joe was determined to meet her.  Joe soon saw Marie at a social event. He approached her, introduced himself and asked if he could take her home and she accepted. The only problem was that Joe had ridden to the event with some friends and he didn't have his car.  His friends drove him all the way back to his house, Joe got his car and then drove back to the social event and took Marie for pie and coffee before taking her home.  For the next two weeks, Joe was a fixture at Marie's house.  After a two-week courtship, Marie's father sat Joe down and said, "If you want to marry my daughter, have your father come ask for her hand; if you don't, then don't come back."

Joe enjoyed a lifelong romance with the love of his life, Marie.  Through the good times and bad, financial struggles and success, deaths and births, they stayed dedicated to each other, supported each other and loved each other.  Raising five kids was a struggle and chaos was frequent in the home, which was commonly referred to as Grand Central Station.  On those occasions when they could get away, Las Vegas was their destination of choice.  Starting with their honeymoon at the Tropicana, which had just opened, to recent stays at the Bellagio, Joe and Marie enjoyed the dinners, shows and of course dice.  On one of these trips, a junket back in the 70's, Joe met John Gurrera, which began a lifelong friendship.

Joe was an entrepreneur; he owned several bars, nightclubs, restaurants, a movie theater, published "The Medical Case Against Cigarette Smoking," a floral delivery business, vacuum business and pizza shop.  The revolving door of business seemed endless.  That revolving door stopped in 1974 when Joe bought a decrepit, run down, "thirty days from bankruptcy" business named "Excel Linen Supply."  One of Joe's favorite stories involved his first day as owner when he had to pick up the employees at 5 o'clock in the morning and how one of the employees didn't come down when he honked.  That story ends with that employee never being late again.

Joe grew Excel Linen Supply from the 11th out of 11 commercial laundries into one of the top ranked commercial laundries in the area.  He was a compassionate employer who treated his employees as his children more than as workers.  When one of the employees needed surgery, Joe made arrangements for him to stay at Joe's family home during his recovery.  When another employee unexpectedly passed away at a young age, Joe paid for all the burial services and provided aid to the family.  He routinely loaned employees money to buy a car or other need and then would give them a raise so they could afford to pay back the loan.

More than anything, Joe's goal in life was the safety and success of his family.  He sacrificed so that his wife and kids could have a better life. From financial support to life lessons and guidance, Joe was the consummate husband and father.  He often gave credit to his relationship with his father and the lessons his father taught him.  But he would admit that his perseverance came from the persistence of his mother who he often fondly recalled would always tell him that "You can do it!"

Those who knew Joe well were the beneficiaries of so many lessons, generosity and entertaining stories.  One such story is how the Brancato family came to America.  He always ended this story with the line: "So if it hadn't been for a fight, on a dark Sicilian street, many, many years ago, my family would not be in America today."  The common thread in this story and most of his stories is that life is full of seemingly insignificant events that lead to great consequences.  Thus, the life of Joe Brancato.