August 27, 1950 – October 27, 2018 Charles Edward Griego, age 68, passed away peacefully at Spanish Peaks Veterans Community Living Center on Saturday, October 27, 2018. He was born August 27, 1950 in Denver CO to Andy and Susan (Duran) Griego. Charles graduated from Meredith Hutton-Thornton High School in 1968. He was a U.S. Army veteran having served from 1968-1972 including eleven months in which he served in Vietnam. Upon his return, at his father’s request, he decided to join his family in Trinidad where his father worked at TSJC as a welding instructor. Charles attended TSJC for two years before transferring to SCSC (CSU) in Pueblo where he received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Charles was a Labor Employment Specialist for the Colorado Department of Labor, located in Trinidad, CO. Charles will be remembered by his colleagues for his warmth, sense of humor, compassion and profound joy helping others. Charles touched and changed the lives of so many over the 17 years that he served the State of Colorado and Colorado Workforce. He took great pride in serving Veterans, Youth and Justice involved individuals. Charles worked on Veterans issues, having served with the Trinidad & Las Animas County Veterans Committee and worked on economic development projects. He had a passion for woodworking and loved spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren.
Charles is survived by his wife of 44 years, Frances (Martorano) Griego and their children: Sarah (Nathan) Guz of Half Moon Bay, CA; Samuel Charles Griego of Chicago, IL; Joanna (John) McLaughlin of Helena, MT; Elizabeth (Cody) Williams of Olympia, WA; Stephanie (Ryan) Marsters of Golden, CO. son Stephen Griego (Deceased), His grandchildren are Katie Lee McLaughlin of Helena, MT; Geoffrey Guz and Susan Guz of Half Moon Bay, CA. He is also survived by his sisters Grace Griego of Golden CO; Patricia (Tom) Urban of Arvada, CO; brother James (Delores) Griego of Denver, CO; sister,Frances (Paul) Malano, of Parker, CO. Charles’ uncles and aunts are Andrew Duran of Broomfield, CO, Raymond (Frances) Duran of Denver, CO; Chuck (Mary Rose) Martorano of Trinidad, CO; Weston Thomas of Colorado Springs, CO, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins , colleagues, and friends.
The pallbearers will be Mark Schultz, John Pilola, Jesse Griego, Justin Malano, Alex Sanchez, and Harold Bowman.
Visitation will be Thursday from 4pm-8pm at the Comi Chapel.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, November 2, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at Comi Funeral Home located at 1804 E. Main St. Trinidad, CO 81082 Mr. Nick Tessitore will officiate. Interment will immediately follow at the Masonic Cemetery, with graveside services conducted by Ft. Carson Honor Guard.
Arrangements made under the direction of the Comi Funeral Home.
I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Griego for several years while with the CDLE Veterans Programs. He was one of the most influential human beings I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He was truly sincere and passionate about his family, the work he did with our veterans and his great community of Trinidad. He will be missed and thought of often.
Charlie and I went to school together. He was a super guy, super friend.