Herman J. Atencio

Herman J. Atencio, 81, Former Assistant Denver City Attorney, passed away April 1, 2006. Mr. Atencio was born October 23, 1924 in Capulin, Colorado to Herman and Lydia Atencio. He was raised in Capulin until his father was elected to, and served three terms in the Colorado House of Representatives, between 1933 and 1939. He graduated from South High School in 1942. He volunteered and served with the Army Air Corp in the Pacific. After leaving the military service, he married Vivian Marquez who preceded him in death in 1997. He attended the University of Denver where he obtained his undergraduate degree and then his law degree in 1950. He served 42 years with the Denver City Attorney's office and retired in 1993. In addition to his career and family, he served as the Veterans' Service Officer for Denver for 30 years and was instrumental in establishing several Credit Unions in Denver. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Municipal Credit Union for 25 years, serving 5 years as President. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was one of the founders of the Southwest Denver Mental Health Association. He was a longtime member of Notre Dame Catholic Church. Mr. Atencio is missed by his children, Margaret, John, James (Joy), Vivian (Chuck) Zawadzki, Loretta, Thomas (Shelly) and Mari (Mark) Duplessis; grandchildren, John Jr., Carol, Matthew (Andrea), Amy, Katy & Annie Atencio, Alexandra and Nicholas Zawadzki; great-grandchildren Paul & Sasha Atencio; sister Inez Frisinger and brother Andrew (Karen), and numerous other family and friends. A memorial is established with the American Diabetes Association, 2480 W. 26th Ave., Ste. 120-B, Denver, CO 80211.