Obituary of Paul J. Satriano

Paul J. Satriano, of Golden, CO, was born on the family farm in Welby, CO on Feb, 23, 1930, to Paolo and Concetta Satriano. He was the youngest of nine boys who preceded him in death: Jim, Clyde, Jerry, George, John, Rocco, Mike, and Joe. He is also preceded by his wife of 68 years, Helen “Chickie” Satriano, who passed on Dec. 24, 2022. He is survived by his three children: Tom, Paula (Doug) and Maria, as well as six grandchildren: Dean, Matt and Darby, Paul and Erin, and Ryan, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Paolo Satriano came to Colorado in 1911 from Potenza, Italy. His wife Concetta (Pace), followed him in 1914, with their first two sons, Vincenzo (Jim) 5 and Gaetano (Clyde) 3. Seven more boys were born in the Denver area. The Satriano’s were part of many Italian families who were known as Truck Farmers. Many families from Potenza (Denver’s Sister City) lived in Welby. They had acreage to grow vegetables, with plenty of family help!

There were 21 years between Jim and Paul. While most of the boys were born a couple of years apart, Paul was seven years younger than Joe. As anyone around the ‘40’s –‘60’s would attest- the brothers had a close and special bond that was palpable. The matriarch of the family, Concetta, was an amazing woman who worked hard on the farm. She was also a great cook, but her specialty was love! Her passing in 1967 was a tough loss on the family, but especially for Paul, who was just 37. Her death at age 75 marked the end of an era. Paul’s passing means that it is the end of another era, because now all of the Satriano’s are together again.

Paul met his best friend at Mapleton School, Ed DePinto. Ed was a good football player. Paul excelled in basketball, whose team went undefeated until losing in the high school championship in 1947 for Westminster Union. He was also very close to his cousin, Fred Gabriel. Fred’s mother, Josephine, was Concetta’s youngest sister. The two were very close. Paul and Fred loved each other like brothers and even ended up in the service together for the Colorado Air National Guard. Soon, both Eddie (Inez) and Fred (Virginia) got married to wonderful women. Paul followed suit a few years later.

Paul and Helen met at the Air Force Finance Center in their bowling league in 1953. They got married on Sept. 18, 1954 and were ironically the first of the family to leave North Denver when they moved to Jefferson County; first Edgewater, then Wheat Ridge.

Paul worked for his brothers, Clyde and Joe, for Satriano Brothers in his early years, but in 1960 embarked into car sales at Hover Motors, “the sharpest pencil in town”. His continual reminder to everyone was that he was very proud to claim that he had never taken advantage of a single customer in his illustrious 42 year career! He was recognized for many years for his sales, and was one of six Ford salesmen chosen around the country to test drive the new Ford Maverick at the Dearborn facilities in January of 1969. He then appeared on Channel 7’s Starr Yelland Show to talk about his experience. After Hovers closed, he sold Chevys at Jerry Roth, then Cadillacs at Medved, retiring in 2002.

Paul loved gardening, music and sports, especially the Yankees, Broncos and Nuggets. He talked about that in his “next life” he was going to be a crooner like Sinatra. Six of the Satriano brothers loved to sing, and six were good athletes. Paul was both.

He enjoyed his grandkids and spent the last 5½ years living with his son, Tom, and grandsons, Dean and Matt. He got to tell stories, reminisce, and have lunch with family and friends, like his good pal, Frank Pomponio. He truly enjoyed his final years.

Paul wanted a celebration after his passing. He loved family get-togethers, so we’re going to have one! Email with the subject heading, “Paul”, to pjs19302024@gmail.com for more information.