“Coach” Kenneth Giovando, was reunited with his son Brian Giovando and parents Lena and Bat Giovando in Heaven on June 25, 2020. He was born on November 30, 1944. Coach leaves behind his beloved “bride” of 54 years Arlene Giovando, his son Mike Giovando, daughters; Alayna Despain (David Despain), Jennifer Giovando, Emilee Giovando, and Julie Ainsworth (Eric Ainsworth), sister; Gerry Crocker, brother; John Giovando, six grandsons and ten granddaughters. He leaves a legacy of inspiration and love for all the athletes he coached and coached alongside over his 40-year career as a football coach. He worked tirelessly to use his talent as a coach and teacher to better the lives of anyone he came to know. He used his faith, passion, and unending humor to motivate and show love to his family, friends, and players. Most of all he loved his wife. “Hold the rope!”
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 from 12 Noon to 3:00 p.m. at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 4225 N 56th Street, Phoenix. Interment will be at Green Acres Cemetery. Condolences and Hugs from Home may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com
Brian Chambers
He was a great great man and always stood 10 ft tall in my eyes. As in the movie Highlander there can be only one! I can still see him in my mind and he is probably got the Angels doing sprints and running, and laughing at the same time. No one had a bigger heart or was a better man and he will leave a gap in this world and I am sure one helluva an impression in the next! Loved by almost everyone that met him, touched everyone in one way or another. I hated to see him in pain but now he is back in his glory you played well coach, we will miss you!
Jim Anderson
Arlene and family,
Marcia and I would like to extend our condolences in the passing of one of the original DROVERS ,Coach Ken Giovando .As a young Coach I was blessed to have worked with him at SCC . His nuggets of wisdom have followed me throughout my coaching career beyond our days at Scottsdale. “COACH”, as he would say , I thank God that he enabled you to be a pat of my life.
My God continue to bless the Giovando family.
Lots of love,
Jim Anderson
10U Firebird Team
Our thoughts and prayers are with your Family.
Paul Bosse
When we heard about Kenny’s passing, we were heartbroken. I grew up around Kenny and his family in Globe, Arizona. Kenny’s mother was Godmother to my wife. We also were living in Tucson when Kenny and Arlene were living there. Many great memories do I have about the time we all spent together. Kenny, for example, was even the coach for our college flag football team. It seemed like he was always coaching in the broadest sense of the word. Coaching was welded into his DNA. I admired his sense of caring, duty, tenacity, his ability to connect with others, and his love for his family. In addition to these qualities, he was the funniest guy I ever knew. He did not tell jokes, but the way he could tell a story, or spin a yarn, was uproariously funny. We will miss “coach” forever.
With sadness and fond memories, we offer our prayers and sympathy to Arlene and their family.
Paul & Patti Bosse
Michael Gadson
With deepest sympathy I would like to express my condolences to the Giovando family in the passing of Coach Giovando. I was blessed to spend 2 great years with Coach as a member of the 74-75 SCC Drovers. When I look back at the people who were influential in my life I can proudly say that Coach Giovando was one of them. His door was always open to talk to about anything. As a 19 year old and a thousand miles or so from home that made a difference as I looked up to him as a father figure and mentor. I’m very grateful I got a opportunity to come back after 40 years and shake his hand and thank him as a grown man . I will forever treasure the memories of him.
God Bless the Giovando Family
Ross Lipter
It was ALWAYS a better day when Coach would visit. We all felt the caring, warmth and kindness. My condolences to Arlene and the entire family. -Ross Lipter, Scottsdale, AZ.
Becky Bradley, SCC Student Life & Leadership
Coach G was a fixture in my early years working at SCC. He always remembered my name, supported our work, and had a kind word and a smile to offer. He was a good example to his players and coaches – allowing one way for his legacy to remain. My thoughts go out to you. The world lost a good one, for sure.
Jack Perry
When Ken left the campus at SCC the place just wasn’t the same. We looked forward to seeing him when he would stop by the Copy Center for a “special project” that he would frequently have us do for him, and of course, we would find ourselves the recipients of bags of candy for our efforts. Coach always was appreciative of what we could do for him, and we enjoyed the meetings colored with stories and jokes that made a day much better when he came by to pick up the work. Toward the end of his teaching career it was apparent that Coach was having problems with his health and getting around was difficult for him. He always shrugged it off and laughed about it, often becoming the object of his own humor. He will be remembered as a kind soul that brought a lot of joy to a lot of people. We are all glad we had a chance to get to know Coach Giovando. Rest in peace Ken. We offer our sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family.
Mike Basham
To the Giovando family.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. I was fortunate to meet and play for Coach Giovando at SCC in 1974. He was and still is one of the greatest men I have ever meet. He inspired me on and off the field. Still today, some of my greatest memories I shared with him. He was truly one of a kind and I was so blessed to have him in my life. Again, I am so sorry for your loss and please let us know if there is anything we can do to help during this difficult time.
Mike Basham
Whitney & Murphy
My heart is heavy to hear of your passing my good friend Kenny. May the Lord bless your soul and your family. From one 1962 Glober to another.
Peace,
Frank Rivera
frank_rivera1@cox.net
Charles Silver
I’m so sorry to hear of Coach passing. He was an amazing man and postively impacted so many young players over his career at SCC. Rest well sir, you changed the world and have certainly earned it!
Jon Chase
Joe Germaine was the most valuable player in Ohio States Rose Bowl win in Tempe. Joe came off the bench later in the game as quarterback to win the game. Joe was red shifted to Coaches Scottsdale Community College football team before rejoining Ohio State to be named most valuable p!ayers in this rose bowl win. I remembered my watching of the game To Coach after the win and remarked that when Joe entered the Rose Bowl game late in the 4th quarter it looked like “Bambi” had entered the game but upon taking the first snap Joe became a lion.
Coach looked at me and said “thank you” cause he always knew there was a lion in Joe and had sent him back to Ohio State to roar. Coach could find the lion in any man.
Leland Rodgers
My dad and Coach Gio played together at UofA, coached together for several years and I was fortunate enough to play for Coach at SCC as well. I have known him most of my life and Coach Gio was the greatest motivational coach I have ever known and just flat out a great person who truly cared. He had a major impact on my life and was always willing to help at the drop of a hat, we love you Coach and you will be deeply missed.
With Love and Respect,
The Rodgers Family
Linda van der Wal
I’m so saddened to hear that Coach passed away. I knew him when I was a student at SCC and took PE classes from him and then I knew him as a colleague when I started teaching at SCC. I have so much respect for him as a mentor, a teacher, a coach, and a truly great human being. I’ve thought of him often over the years.
Dino Barber
I will miss him…
amy s goff
Thoughts and prayers with the Giovando Family. I apologize for the lateness of the flowers and note– I retired this semester and received the news after going out of town since I am no longer on the SCC emails….
Kenny was one of a kind and touched so many people.
Rest in Peace Kenny G-
Amy Goff
Florine Hart Hamilton
I was so sorry to read about Kenny’s passing. I remember him when he was very young , as my family lived next door to the Giovandos in Globe. Kenny was a lot of fun and always playing ball, even then, taught and encouraged by his father, Bat. Just wish I had known him later in his life.
I want to express my sympathy to Kenny’s family from a fellow Globe native. I am thinking of you.