James Anthony Pughes

Born July 20, 1921, to Joseph and Estelle (Munday) Pughes in La Junta, Colorado, Jim lived most of his life in North Denver. Joe Pughes (Jim's father) was born in Philadelphia, PA, but spent most of his childhood in southeast Denver. Jim's mother, Estelle, was born and raised in Central City, Colorado. Joe and Estelle were married in Philadelphia, then moved to up-state New York where they had Joe, Jr., Jim's surviving brother. The family moved back to Colorado, where Jim was born, then to California. In California, Margaret (Wilhelm), now deceased, was born into the family. The growing family moved back to Colorado, where Catherine (Parshall), now deceased, was born. The family planted roots in the North Denver area, and flourished there. Jim left Holy Family High School to join the United States Navy in December 1941, and served in the Naval Armed Guard until June 1947. During his active service, Jim toured the world in service to his country, visiting ports in South America, the Mediterranean, Pacific, and Africa. While on a ship near South Africa, Jim was put ashore at Port St. Elizabeth for treatment of acute appendicitis. In the confusion of the war effort, he was forgotten by the Navy. Although unable to speak the native language, or to be understood by most of the medical staff, he was eventually nursed back to health, and found passage on a ship back to the U.S. where he returned to service. He was wounded onboard a ship in the South Pacific, but continued his duties, uninterrupted. He proudly showed off the crease in his forehead where a bullet had penetrated his helmet, but only grazed his scalp. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Navy, Jim married Helen Brancucci in April of 1948. The couple raised six children in North Denver: Mike (Gwen), Angie Toureen, Alan, John (Diane Calkins), Patty (Dan Galleri), and Mary Kilburn (Barry Dobb). Jim loved life, and enjoyed his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mike's son, Sean, had a daughter Janie (now deceased), and, with wife Ashley, recently introduced daughter, Lexi, into the Pughes family. Angie's daughter, Christi Toureen, has two daughters, Taylor and Jazzlynn, with Woody Ramos. Alan's daughter, Jenae Matteson, has two children, Jared and Caley. Jenae and fiance, Josh Niday, are also raising Josh's daughters, Nevaeh and Emily, and they are expecting twins. John's son, Isaac and wife, Kelsi, are raising Braydon. Other grandchildren are Alan's son, Aaron, John's son Zach & Patty's children Dylan and Chelsea. Jim's professional career included delivering Schlitz beer and later, towels and uniforms, throughout Denver and the front range. He was promoted to Plant Manager for American Linen Supply, but left the company after 16 years to join the construction trade. Jim worked as a trim carpenter for Apache Construction, in Aurora, before taking on responsibilities as a construction superintendent and, eventually, general contractor. With Apache, he built several neighborhoods around the Buckley Air National Guard base, as well as medical and office buildings in Aurora. He retired in 1984 after suffering a heart attack, and surviving heart bypass surgery. In recent months he fought arteriosclerosis, gout, and other health concerns. Jim died at home, surrounded by his family on April 20, 2009. Jim loved his family, friends, country, and Denver. He will be deeply missed. Mass of the Resurrection will be at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4580 Utica, Denver, on Monday, April 27 at 10:30 a.m.; interment at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 12:30 p.m. There will be a reception following interment at Holy Family's parish hall. Viewing will be from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 25 at Horan & McConaty at Speer Boulevard and North Federal (Denver). Rosary will be recited Sunday, 6 p.m. at Holy Family. Donations may be made in Jim's honor to Holy Family Catholic Church, 4385 Utica, Denver, 80212. Please share your memories of Jim and condolences for the family by clicking the ""Sign Guestbook"" tab.