Mike John Giarratano

Mike passed away April 27, 2025, at the age of ninety-five. He was born in Pueblo, Colorado, on January 30, 1930, to Clara (Cortese) and Sam Giarratano, both of whom preceded him in death.

Mike is survived by the love of his life, Joan “Joni” (Taibi) Giarratano; children, Marc (Darlene) Giarratano, Michelle (Jeff) Secor, Michael (Linda) Giarratano, Mario (Anna) Giarratano, Marie (Randy) Johnston, and Matthew (Tinka) Giarratano; thirteen grandchildren, Jeremey (Megan) Biehn, Carly (Bryan) Picard, Jennifer (Brandon) Dernier, Jefrey (Stephanie) Giarratano, Jordon (Chelsea) Giarratano, Zac (Allison) Johnston, Ariana (Zach) Hoff, Emilia (Cody) Dallmann, Taibi Giarratano, Jessa Giarratano, Sydni Williams (Jontue) Collier, Celine Williams (Gabriel) Konke, and Tori Williams; twenty-two great-grandchildren, Tanner and Gabriella Biehn; Ellia and Hunter Picard; Daymon and Brayden Dernier; Julian and Katelyn Giarratano; John Marc, Lucas, and Vivian Giarratano; Makhenna, Ashton, and Olivia Johnston and Harper Willems-Johnston; Parker Hoff; Isla and Whit Dallmann; Zoe and Avree Hogy and Brooklyn Fabian; and Trayson Collier. He is also survived by his sister Rosalie (Giarratano) and brother-in-law George Massarotti, and many, many cousins.

Mike was a graduate of Pueblo’s Central High School in 1948 where he was a “True Blue Wildcat.” He joined the National Guard in 1950 with about ten of his buddies, and they all were called up to active duty with the Air Force for the Korean Conflict, during which he was stationed in Rapid City, South Dakota, and served as a military policeman guarding B-36 bombers. He always said that if one of those planes flew overhead today, he would be able to recognize it by its sound.

After his release from active duty in the Air Force in 1953, he returned to Pueblo where he worked several odd jobs until he landed a position at the Pueblo Ordnance Depot (later named the Pueblo Army Depot and then the Pueblo Depot Activity), at which he worked until his retirement in 1985, ending his career as a statistician after thirty-five years of service.

Mike loved baseball, fast- and slow-pitch softball, and volleyball, which he continued to play throughout his life. In fact, he played volleyball every Thursday night until he was seventy-five years old. He played for twenty-four fast-pitch teams and twelve slow-pitch teams from 1949–2006, and even played for the Pueblo Boosters in the 1965 fast-pitch world series in Rock Island, Illinois. Over the course of those years, he made lifelong friends, and he was the surviving member from many of his teams.

Mike was a proud member of the American Legion Post #2 and the Pueblo Fraternal Order of Eagles #145. He also received an honor for the longest membership from the Legion where he and Joan served as senior representatives for more than five decades and where you could hear him sing karaoke with friends on many Friday nights.

Mike was also a proud regular of Eiler’s Bar—where everyone knew his name! He always said that he had been going there since he was five years old, which was true because he grew up on Eliers Avenue a few houses from the bar, and as a kid he would walk to the bar with a nickel in his hand to purchase a bucket of beer to bring home to his father for when he got back from work at the steel mill. Many of Mike’s old softball team pictures and uniforms are still hanging on the walls at Eiler’s.

Mike was a staple of the Pueblo community with innumerable family and friends who respected and loved him, one and all. Joni was the love of his life, and he always said that his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were his legacy and greatest accomplishment. He was so proud of every one of them. He did it his way, and his passing is the end of an era. He will be missed by all.

Mike’s family would like to thank Cappella of Pueblo West Assisted Living Center for all the care, special attention, and love they provided during his last several months. They all are extraordinary people for what they did and how they honored and respected him.

In lieu of flowers, please gather with loved ones, lift a glass, and offer up a toast to Mike and to the joy he brought into your lives. Enjoy those special memories. That is what we all are doing!

Please join us for the celebration of his life and a funeral mass, 9:15 a.m., May 7, 2025, Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 414 West 11th Street, Pueblo. A graveside service will occur after the mass at Roselawn Cemetery, 1706 Roselawn Road, Pueblo, with reception to follow afterward at the cathedral. Viewing, 4:00–6:00 p.m., May 6, 2025, T.G. McCarthy Funeral Home, 329 Goodnight Avenue.