Giannini, Kenneth

Age 79

Of Maplewood

June 22, 1946 - Feb. 17, 2026

Kenneth Anthony Giannini passed away in the early morning of Feb. 17 in the company of those he loved. 

Ken was an avid East-Sider, graduating from Hill High School and haunting the streets of the Hayden Heights neighborhood as a young man. After working as a cub reporter and photographer for the Pioneer Press, he proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. 

In the late ’70s, he began his long career at the Minnesota State Fair while also completing his B.A. in Journalism at the University of St. Thomas. He worked in Publicity and Marketing during his 25-plus years at the State Fair, culminating in a role with the fair’s foundation and receiving his 50-Year Award for a lifetime of fair activity.

Ken loved to be with people, whether on the golf course, at family gatherings with all of his favorite cousins, or at the North St. Paul American Legion where he served on the board during his retirement. The person he most loved to be with, though, was his grandson Connor. Nothing in the world brought him more joy than his time with Connor.

He was preceded in death by his mother Mary “Minnie” and father Henry “Hank”. He is survived by sons Mark (Becky) and Tony (Tracy); beloved grandson Connor; brother Henry Jr. “Skip” (Joanne); and nephews Mike (Cari), Joe (Mary) and John (Gracie).

A Celebration of Life will be held for Ken on Sunday April 12, from 11-3 at the North St. Paul American Legion, 2678 7th Ave E., North St. Paul, MN 55109. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Ken’s honor to the Minnesota State Fair Foundation at www.msffoundation.org.