Joseph Paul Chirichigno

Joseph Paul Chirichigno Sr. passed away peacefully and surrounded by his family and faithful dog on June 17, 2023. Born on January 15, 1940 in Denver, Colorado to Salvatore and Amelia Chirichigno; he was the youngest of four siblings.

Joe attended St. Louis Catholic School for elementary and Regis Jesuit High School, and graduated from Regis in 1958. He excelled as an athlete, playing at least four sports: football, basketball, baseball, and boxing. His fierce running style on the gridiron earned him the nickname “Choo-Choo Chirichigno,” likening him to a powerful locomotive. Joe briefly attended Denver University on a football scholarship but left when the program was dropped. Joe later joined the Coast Guard Reserve with a couple of close friends, serving from 1962-1970. He spent most of his career at The Norgren Company, where he worked for 38 years. He retired in 2002.

Having grown up on a fish hatchery in Englewood, Joe loved to tell stories of his childhood and life there. He loved recounting memories of his mother’s cooking, family gatherings, his grandfather’s role as President of the Denver Musicians’ Association, and his beloved pets (including his horse, Fleety) to family and friends. Joe had a passion for gardening, food, sports and–above all–family. He would faithfully plant and tend to a huge garden, and did so until he was physically unable. He enjoyed sharing his crops with family, friends and neighbors. Tradition was important to Joe. Top among them was gathering with family and friends to share a great meal. Joe took great pride in his Italian heritage, so these meals often consisted of Italian cuisine. After retirement, he spent more time cooking and baking, a vehicle through which he expressed his love for Linda, his wife of 49 years. Being an athlete himself, Joe loved following the local sports teams (Go Nuggets!) along with any sport in which his children and grandchildren competed. He was proud and supportive of all things involved with family and often followed or catered to the interests of his family.

Joe will forever be remembered by his wife, Linda, and his children Joey, Tony, and Gina. He is also survived by Tony’s wife, Amy, and Antonia Smith (their daughter) and Dante (their son); Tyler (Joey’s son) and Jade Lauer (Joey’s daughter); and Eli Shires (Tony’s son). He has two great-grandchildren, with another on the way: Kapo’o Kahele (Jade’s son) and Eliel Padilla (Eli’s son). 

His services were held at 10:30am on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at St. Louis Catholic Church in Englewood, Colorado. Private interment was held at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.