Charles John Onofrio

1925 - 2016

Charles John Onofrio obituary, 1925-2016

BORN

1925

DIED

2016

FUNERAL HOME

Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary & Cemetery

7777 West 29th Ave

Wheat Ridge, Colorado

Charles Onofrio Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Oct. 8, 2016.

Chuck Onofrio, that Great Lion of God, died exactly as he lived. An attorney and a Christian, he spent his life advocating for life, from conception to natural death. He was, in fact, the author of Amendment 3, which prohibits the use of tax dollars for abortions and is now a part of the Colorado Constitution. When his own body became frail and his organs failed, he declined all extraordinary measures to prolong his life. His loving family, as well as the wonderful Agape Hospice, cared for him at home, and when his heart?that extraordinary heart?finally failed, he spent his last minutes in the arms of his sweetheart, his life's love, Helen. The date of his death illumines his life as well. This gentle, devoted lover of Mary, the Mother of God, died on October 6, the vigil of the Feast of the Holy Rosary. Chuck prayed the rosary every day, meditating on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, and praying for peace in every corner of our world and in the troubled corners of our hearts.

He had the challenging life of a first generation Italian immigrant growing up in north Denver in the first half of the twentieth century. His mother Angelina died giving birth to his sister Ange. His father Peter then married Clara Petrocco, who lovingly raised Chuck, his sister Ro and her biological child Fred. Another family member adopted his other sisters, Dorothy and Ange. Chuck attended North High School, but, for the first and only time in his life, he dropped out. He chose instead to serve as a U.S. Marine in 1943, climbing palm trees in the Solomon Islands in order to hang communication cables in support of the nearby Guadalcanal campaign.

After the war Chuck made short work of finishing high school, college, and the Westminster Law School (now D.U.). But all of that is just prologue. The first act of his life began when he met Maria Elena Getrudes Mondragon while working at the highway department. That "cute Mexican girl" quickly became the great passion of his life. They put aside an elaborate, formal wedding to celebrate their marriage with the parishioners of Mount Carmel Church at the 11am Sunday Mass, June 8, 1952. Soon after, St. Rose of Lima Church?the little church with the big heart?became their parish, and it was there that their eleven children were baptized and received all their sacraments.

It wasn't until Angie (Mick) White, Bernadette (Jack) Beesley, and Chuck were born that a friend noticed that they were named in alphabetical order. Dino (Lori),deceased 10/28/15, Eugene (Lori), Francine, Gregory (Carol), Helen Marie (stillborn), Ilene Vivinetto, Julie (Don) Trujillo, and Kristie (Larry) Donathan were all born over the next twenty years. The musical, warm Onofrio family grew to welcome grandchildren Preston, Katie O'Malley (engaged to Tomas Prochazka), Tess (Jeffrey) Merdel, Marissa Vasquez (Sharif Abdelhamid), Derek (Sarah) and their children Catie and Hannah, Lars, Taylor McHenry (Tony Gibalski), Jordan (Ralph Hinton), their daughter Savannah, Bailey (engaged to Alex Thomen), Gregory, Andrew, Danielle (Mark) Davis, their son Harrison, Chad Patacky, Victoria and Ryan Vivinetto, and foreign exchange student HauYong, Alex and Matthew Trujillo, Mariah (Cameron) Moore, and Haley Donathan.
If you knew him, you loved him. His legendary gentleness and quiet strength ensured that he brought his Lord Jesus into every room.

Celebrate his life with all who loved him by praying the rosary at 10:30 am, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11am, on Thursday, October 13th, at St. Rose of Lima Church, 355 S. Navajo St., Denver, 80223. A reception follows in the church basement. Internment with military honors will be at Ft. Logan Cemetery, 4400 W. Kenyon Ave., Denver., at 2:15pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Rose of Lima for a new sound system

Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary, Cemetery & Arboretum, Wheat Ridge, CO.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles Onofrio

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Not sure what to say?

March 20, 2017

Cathleen Gillies

Just reading about Mr Onofrio this morning and his work to help women and children in Denver inspired me today to continue working to build our culture to one that honors and respects the dignity of all from conception to natural death. St Rose of Lima pray for us!

October 21, 2016

Condolences to the Onofrio family from your friends from Peppers Restaurant. Chuck''s warm smile will be missed.Memory eternal!

October 13, 2016

lorraine reitcheck

From all the Reitcheck family:

Sorry to hear of the passing of Mr Orofrio. Losing a father, husband, grandpa, brother is heartbreaking. Celebrate his life and rejoice in the wisdom and humor he brought to your lives. You were very lucky to have had him as long as you did.

Stay strong!

October 12, 2016

Shawn Winchester

I loved this warm and generous man. He helped me by hiring me to paint a mural when I needed money and helping me with legal services.
I wondered how he always found it in his heart to give to others when he had plenty of his own kids relying on him. He teaches us that there isn't a limit.
The more you give the bigger your capacity. Thanks ! Charles

October 12, 2016

Raymond Garcia

My condolences to Helen and family, my thoughts and prayers during this your loss. Chuck and Helen were there for me when I lost my wife four years ago. I can't thank them enough for all Chuck did for me consulting me in my trying days.Will be greatly missed my he rest in peace. My love and prayer for the family.

October 11, 2016

Very sad to hear this news. Mary Kay and I knew Mr. Onofrio by knowing Dino and Lori and we want to extend our condolences to them and the extended family. I'll never forget the first time we walked into his Law Office and the powerful smell of pipe tobacco. He was helping us draft our wills back in the early 1980's. It was the first of many and varied consultations with him over the next 30+ years. We would also catch up with he and Helen at the annual Colorado Vincentian Volunteers fundraiser. A great man that will be greatly missed........

Phil and Mary Kay Hansen

October 11, 2016

To the Onofrio family,

So sorry for your loss. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

The Shea Family

October 10, 2016

John and Molly Archibold

Molly and I, first of all, want to extend our praise and love to the extended Family of Charles John Onofrio who we have known for just a smidgen less than 50 years. About three weeks ago (September 19) we attended the funeral of Ben Urbish, the husband of Mary Rita Urbish, both of whom were mutual friends of Chuck and us. That same afternoon we went to visit Chuck for the last time. We got to Chuck and Helen's house and Chuck was sharp and efficient, as usual, as he was completing hospice documents. After the hospice folks left we had a memorable visit with Chuck and Helen. We concluded with Chuck praying the Lord's Prayer. All of Helen's children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, in-laws and extended family can be proud of the sterling example set by Chuck during his 90+ years of life. He was and is a Great Lion. There is no doubt in our minds that Jesus said upon his death, well done good and faithful servant. We will miss him here, but cherish him forever.

John and Molly Archibold

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Memorial Events
for Charles Onofrio

Oct

13

Rosary

10:30 a.m.

St. Rose of Lima Church

355 S. Navajo St., Denver, CO

Oct

13

Mass of Christian Burial

11:00 a.m.

St. Rose of Lima Church

355 S. Navajo St., Denver, CO

Oct

13

Interment

2:15 p.m.

Ft. Logan Cemetery

4400 W. Kenyon Ave., Denver, CO

Funeral services provided by:

Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary & Cemetery

7777 West 29th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

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