Joseph Francis Basso

Joseph Francis Basso, 94, died Friday, December 8th 2017. Visitation will be held from 9-10 am Friday, December 15th at Visitation Parish, 5141 Main St., Kansas City, MO followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am. Interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.Joseph was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy in September, 2001. Joe was born in the Northeast area of Kansas City to Andrew and Margaret Basso on November 14th of 1923. He had two brothers, Larry and John along with one surviving sister Margaret. He is also survived by his two sons Mark and Vince along with his grandchildren Andy, Nick and Noah. His father, Andrew worked at the Loose-Wiles Biscuit company and money was tight. Growing up, Joe would be given a nickel by his mother to get the ham bone from the local butcher. Joe quickly figured out how to negotiate a Coke along with the ham bone for the nickel. From there, the salesman was born. He spent time selling various items like vegetables to earn money. When he turned 18, he boarded a ship on the East cost headed to the South Pacific to defend his country in WWII. He spent 4 years total that included time in New Guinea and Philippines and achieved the rank of First Sergeant. Joe was asked by a General to join him in Japan to help in the finalization of the war. A story he would tell in later years seemed fitting to his later life. While stationed in the Philippines, he ordered a water truck to be drained out so it could be filled with beer from the San Miguel Brewery for his men.Joe came home to join his family and start a new life. Return was difficult but he quickly set out to find work and landed a job with Coca-Cola as a helper and delivery driver. He enjoyed the job but knew he wanted more so he found another position as liquor salesman for Woosley-Miller distributing. Joe worked hard to build his business. As Joe would tell it, "most of my brands were crap, I needed better lines to sell." He heard about an opening with Bevington & Basile the Schlitz Beer distributorship and got the job. This is where he would spend the next 45 plus years. Joe worked his way up to Sales Manager and during a sales meeting with Mr Bevington he was asked what he wanted to do. He quickly said, "I want to own this place." Over the next few years he did just that. There would be a couple business partners in his path but the one that would be his running mate for the majority of those years was Kennith Young. Joe and Kenny would go on to be a force in Kansas City. The pair would be fixture in the KC beer scene and go on to live their motto, "We beatm in the streets." Eventually Joes boys would join him full time in the business. First Mark then Vince and would continue until they eventually sold in 1988. Joe was particularly proud of an honor he received from the Strohs/Schlitz Brewery. He was appointed to the Intercircle Council. A small group of distributors from across the county. They would meet to discuss industry trends and to contribute to the success of the national company.Joe was a man of honor, a man of his word. Some of his favorite sayings were, "A promise made is a debt unpaid." "Pay as you go and you will never owe." And "A good man is hard to find, you always get the other kind."The one constant during Joes years in the beer business was his wife Dorothy. Joe worked many hours and Dorothy was always there with a hot meal and words of encouragement, all the while taking care of their two boys. Joe and Dorothy really enjoyed Joes retirement years. Time at the lake, multiple cruises and trips to Italy was their joy in life, as well as spending time with Mark, Vince and their grandchildren.
We will miss you dad.



SERVICES Visitation
Friday, December 15, 2017 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Visitation Church 5141 Main Street Kansas City, Missouri 64113
Mass of Christian Burial
Friday, December 15, 2017 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Visitation Church 5141 Main Street Kansas City, Missouri 64113
Interment
Friday, December 15, 2017 11:30 AM
Mount Olivet Cemetery 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd Kansas City, Missouri 64138