Giovanni "Gianni" Filippone

Giovanni "Gianni" Filippone, 79, of Kent, passed away Thursday, July 19, 2012 at Hospice Care Center in Fairlawn.

He was born November 6, 1932 in Bovalino Marina, Italy to Vincenzo and Rosa (Zurzolo) Filippone.

In the early years of his life in Italy, Gianni was an electro-mechanic shop owner and restaurant owner. He came to the United States in 1978 and lived in Philadelphia, until he accepted a job at Wason Crane Company in Streetsboro and moved to Kent. When Wason closed, he returned to his life-long love of cooking. He worked at Silvestro's Ristorante on Mayfield Rd., Hudson Country Club, Reggie's Spaghetti House in Aurora and F.L. Barnetts in Twin Lakes. In 1987, he bought a little business in Brimfield and built it into Ristorante di Gianni. The restaurant was his love, as were his loyal customers. Ristorante di Gianni operated for 19 years, before he retired in 2007.

He is survived by his wife, Judy (Hewett) Filippone, whom he married on March 2, 1984; five daughters, Rosy (Michele Haimanot) Filippone of Cairo Montenotte, Italy, Chris (Carlo) Filippone Limone of Genova, Italy, Sabrina (Bill Switaj) Filippone-Switaj of Kent, Daniela (Charles) Simms of Stow, Anna Paola (Jeffrey Yappel) Filippone of Oakton, VA; twelve grandchildren; three great grandchildren; loving mother of his children, Maria Teresa Martelli Filippone; brothers, Tommaso Filippone, Tony (Cristina) Filippone, Pino (Anna) Filippone, and Franco (Laura) Filippone: and sister, Teresa (Gianni Bessero) Filippone. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Benito Filippone and Tito Filippone.

Calling hours will be held 2-4 and 6-8 PM Monday, July 23rd at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home 628 West Main Street, Kent, where memorial services will be held Tuesday, July 24th at 11:00 AM, with Father Richard Pentello officiating. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice Care Center, 3358 Ridgewood Drive, Akron, OH 44333.