Loriano P. Rossi, 82, Overland Park, KS, passed away Saturday, May 12, 2012. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, at Passantino Bros. Funeral Home, 2117 Independence Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64124, where the Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m. Funeral Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, May 17, at the Funeral Home. Entombment will follow in Mt. Olivet Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to La Madonna Dei Carmene in Fornoli, Italy (Please make checks payable to Sofia D. Rossi c/o Passantino Bros. Funeral Home). Online condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com.

Loriano was born March 28, 1930 in Bagni di Lucca, Italy to Agricola and Carmelinda (Cerchi) Rossi and came to the United States in 1949, living in St. Louis before settling in Kansas City. In 1952 he founded Kansas City Art Statuary with his father. He was joined in the business by his brother Angelo in 1953, and his mother and sister in 1955. Kansas City Art Statuary became one of the largest statuary companies in the Midwest. In 1970 he married his wife Iris and their daughter, Sofia, was born in 1971. He was honored in 1987 with the Gold Medal by the Lucca, Italy Chamber of Commerce for his promotion of Italy in the world. He retired in 1995. Loriano was a hard working man, an honest and giving person, who had a brilliant personality and sense of humor. He always put others first.

He is survived by his wife, Iris Rossi; his daughter, Sofia Rossi; sister, Lia Biscari; brother and sister-in-law, Angelo and Giorgetta Rossi; nephews and nieces, Bob and Joy Biscari, Alex and Angela Biscari, David and Jeanie Biscari, Kathy and Steven Shapiro, Lisa and Scott Stillman; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

Pallbearers: Bob Biscari, Alex Biscari, David Biscari, Leonardo Biscari, Joe Danforth, and John Guarino.