Gaspare Phillip Cottone left this life on December 10, 2016. He was 92 years old.
Mr. Cottone was a first-generation Italian American born in Winchester, Massachusetts. He served his country in the 332nd Ordnance Depot Company during WWII and returned as a Purple Heart combat veteran. He then met and married Angela, another first-generation Italian American. They moved to Colorado Springs in 1958, built a home in Black Forest and lived there for more than 19 years. They then built and moved into another home off of Woodmen Road where they raised prized English Springer Spaniels for many years. Throughout those years Gaspare worked as a heavy equipment operator for the City of Colorado Springs Utility Department and worked there until his retirement.
He was a true and loving husband to Angela for more than 68 years and the best father to his children. He was a hard worker, fixed anything that was broken and helped anyone he could. He rarely threw anything away as he believed he could probably use it again in some fashion. He taught his children that “if you can’t do something right, then don’t do anything at all”. He was a man of few words and he lived by his word. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, beekeeper, gardener and flea market shopper.
His loving legacy continues in his family members: his wife, Angela; his three children: Beatrice, Anthony and Denise; numerous grandchildren and two great grandsons.
A service for Gaspare will be held at Shrine of Remembrance at 10:00 a.m. on December 15, 2016. In lieu of flowers please make any donations to the Disabled American Veterans, Knob Hill Chapter in Colorado Springs. Private interment at Eastonville Cemetery, Elbert, Colorado.