Hugo Arriola, of Colorado Springs, passed away on July 7, 2023. Hugo was born in Guatemala City on December 1, 1959, it was a joyful day for his mom, dad, his two brothers, Luis, Jorge, and sister, Fab. His mom would always call him “mi muñeco” which means my beautiful baby, but Jorge could not pronounce muñeco so he called himself Neco, thus, his nickname became Neco. He was always surrounded by his entire family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. He and cousin, Gabriel, were considered the babies of the family, so it was up to the cousins to look after him from the day he was born until the present. In 1966, when he was four years old his parents decided to move to Florida because dad got a job at Eastern Airlines as an aircraft mechanic. Because Hugo was so little his mom would walk him to elementary school every day. During the summers mom and dad used to take us all back to Guatemala where we would spend time with the family. Neco loved to spend time with all the cousins, aunts, and uncles. Our parents would take us to visit Antigua and Lake Atitlan. Neco did not like to sleep anywhere but his own bed so he would cry all night because he didn’t like to be in the hotel. Neco loved life and loved his mom and dad, brothers, and sister. He loved the beach, swimming, fishing, boating, and playing football in high school. He loved going to Guatemala every year, loved the mountains and the beaches but the most he loved was spending time with his family and cousins.
Hugo graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Iowa, Iowa City in 1991. This is where he met his wife of 30 years, Lori. He went on to have a successful career in pharmaceutical sales. They lived in Des Moines, Iowa area for 20 years before moving to Colorado Springs in 2022 to be closer to their children. His passion was his four boys, Michael, Joshua, Jacob, and Victor, spending time loving, thinking of, and caring for them. Many memories of sports, boating, and vacations to the beach in Florida will be cherished. Hugo was one of the most giving and caring fathers a family could ever ask for. He is loved and will be remembered for this more than anything.
He is survived by his loving wife, Lori Arriola; his sons: Michael, Joshua, Jacob and Victor; his sister, Fabiola Garcia; his brother, Jorge; his daughters-in-law; and grand-daughters, Debrah and Parker (Michael) and Victoria and Sunday Rose (Joshua).
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ramiro and Elvira Arriola; grandparents, Alfredo and Marialuisa Garcia; his brother, Luis Arriola; and his niece, Yesenia Arriola.
A Visitation for Hugo will be held at 9:00AM, followed by a Funeral Service at 10AM, Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel, 1730 East Fountain Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80910.
In lieu of flowers, memorial offerings in Hugo’s name will be donated to a local charity that will be determined by the family.
Please also see Hugo’s tribute page on ever loved (everloved.com/life-of/hugo-arriola/)