Pete C. Zarlengo

Pete Zarlengo was born on May 6, 1925, in Denver, Colorado, the son of Anthony and Maria (Alegretti) Zarlengo both Italian immigrants. Pete, a simple man lived a life full of love, kindness, and dedication to family, friends and underprivileged children throughout the world.

Pete was a child of the Great Depression; life was a challenge from the beginning. His mother died when he was only 22 months old, so his father placed him in an orphanage, where he would be raised for the next eleven years by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth at Mount Saint Vincent Orphanage in Denver, Colorado. He left Mount Saint Vincent in 1939 and attended North High School. He volunteered to enter the Navy in 1943. On June 6, 1944, Pete found himself on Omaha Beach on D-Day in the midst of an Allied invasion of Normandy, France. He spent time on the LST 510 shuttling wounded across the English Channel. Pete was Honorably discharged in 1946. From there he went to work in Greenland supervising the construction of an air base.

In 1954, he married Florence Marotta and they had seven children - six daughters and one son. Pete raised his seven children with unwavering love and dedication and devoted his entire life to giving them a good life. Pete loved taking his children and in-laws on family vacations all over the world. His desire to help underprivileged children led him to support 63 children from 23 countries around the world throughout his life.

Pete's career consisted of working for Westinghouse, Colorado State Bank building where he was in charge of all building maintenance and office leasing. He also worked for Centric Elevator in their parts department. During his working career to show his gratitude to the Nuns that raised him, he volunteered 53 years helping them with their maintenance work at Mount Saint Vincent's orphanage.

His true love was buying a 10-acre farm in Henderson, Colorado and showing his seven children the good life all while raising hundreds of pigs, even more chickens, many beautiful horses, some sassy milk cows and mean bulls. Most of us remember the story of that really mean bull that knocked him out cold, injuring his shoulder but even that didn't deter him from his love for farm life. He also made a home for the many dogs that people would kick out of their car as they drove by his gates.

He found joy in giving to others and expecting nothing in return. He will be remembered as a gentle soul that had a soft spot for those in need. Pete was a happy man with a contagious smile that will live on forever.

Survivors include his seven children: Therese Zarlengo, Los Angeles, CA, Catherine (Denny) Miller, Castle Rock, CO, Debora Zarlengo, Longmont, CO. Anthony (Cathy) Zarlengo, Grand Junction, CO, Gwendoline (Braden) Reiter, Centennial, CO, Sandra (David) Lee, Aurora, CO, Kristen Zarlengo (Tom), El Dorado Hills, CA; 17 Grandchildren, 24 Great Grandchildren, and one Great-Great Grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his Mother and Father, Maria and Anthony Zarlengo and his older siblings Dominic and Carmela (Millie) Zarlengo.

Pete Zarlengo was full of love, laughter, and kindness and will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew him.