Carl J. “Red” Privitera June 11, 1924 – January 04, 2019 Share this obituary Send Flowers View/Sign Guest Book| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card It is with great sadness that the family of Carl John “Red” Privitera announce his passing on January 4, 2019. Carl was born on June 11, 1924, in the old north end ‘Columbus Park’ of Kansas City, Missouri, the seventh of eight children born to first generation Italian-Americans Joseph and Rose (Cavallaro) Privitera. Carl had fond memories of growing up in old Northeast Kansas City and of his siblings: John, Minnie, Tony, Grace, Santina and Phillip.
He leaves one brother, Salvatore Privitera, of Kansas City, Missouri. Carl is survived by his family: Joseph Sr. (Kelly), Rosana Biondo (Anthony), Carl II (Mary), and Anthony II (Tamela). He will also be fondly remembered by his grandchildren: Carl III (Caroline), Joseph II (Kaitlin), John Alex, Anthony III, Nicholas, Vincent, Nathaniel, Anthony Biondo, and Isabella; as well as four great-grandchildren: Liliana, Sylvester, Josephine, and Eloise Privitera.
Carl was predeceased by his loving wife of 62 years, Josephine (Tidona) Privitera, in 2018. Carl was a graduate of Northeast High School. In his childhood he was a boy scout and a member of the honorable ‘Tribe of Mic-O-Say’.
He was a United States Navy veteran serving in World War II and remained a Naval Reservist for 40 years. He was the founding commander of the United States Naval Sea Cadet’s Aquarian Division, and a member of the Navy League. After the war Carl attended the University of Kansas and then started a twenty-five-year electrical career with Monarch Electric.
In 1974 he founded his own company – Mark One Electric Company, Inc. His love for the electrical industry was well known in Kansas City area. He was fondly referred to as “Red” for the dark red hair of his youth. Red was also very active in the commercial real estate business.
Over the past 75 years he and his wife Josephine acquired and developed property throughout the Kansas City bi-state area. He was proud of his Italian heritage and was well known in the Italian community. He was a founding member of the American Sons of Columbus and became famous for shutting down the Kansas City debut of ‘The Godfather’ with other fellow members of Italian-American descent to protect their good names.
Carl met his wife Josephine while making his first communion at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. They later reunited and married there in 1956. Carl and Josephine shared a wonderful life raising their children, acquiring real estate, and running successful businesses.
They were also very active in Republican Party politics. Carl served as president of the Jackson County Republican Party, as well as serving as a Republican delegate for the State of Missouri. When President George H.W. Bush ran for president in 1988, Carl served as his campaign chairman for the State of Missouri.
In his later years he served as an Italian-American Consulate, a member of National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), 119th Street Pioneer, and a successful hotelier. He was a member of Visitation and Holy Rosary Parishes. He was active in the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and was their governor for many years.
He was card carrying member of The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 124, board member of the IBEW Local 124 Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, The Electric League, as well as a member of Societa Ragusa Americana. Carl was a true self-made man with a passion for his work. His childhood during the Great Depression gave him an entrepreneurial spirit that is rarely seen today.
He was a tough but loving son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, mentor, and friend. He had a charismatic personality with a twinkle in his eye that will never be forgotten. Dad you are one in a million and your legacy will live on with your family.
The family would like to send a special thank you to Carl’s caregivers in his final years: Bridget, April, April, Kyla, Tieka, Heather, Haley, Alecia, Sheree, Lori, Shell, Chastity, Tiara, Ashely, and Robbie. A special thank you to the Provide-A-Care health services for having all these great employees. The pallbearers for the services will be his eight grandsons.
Visitation will be 8 a.m. with the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 12, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 911 E. Missouri Ave. , Kansas City, MO 64106. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Instead of flowers, contributions are suggested in Carl’s memory to Holy Rosary Parish. Condolences may be offered at www.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
