Virgilio Joseph Colo, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on October 16, 2023, at the age of 91.
Virgilio, or Joe as he was known, was the 8th child born to the late Sebastiano and Emma ( nee Michelini) Colo, on June 16th, 1932 in Yatesboro, Pennsylvania. Growing up in a small coal mining town with his many brothers and sisters was an adventure. The stories of mischief and simplicity of the times have been passed along for years. Having lost his father at the age of 10, Joe grew up quickly with a solid foundation of understanding the importance of family and faith.
Joe made his way to Cleveland in 1956, living in Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood, where he would eventually meet his bride of 41 yrs, Margaret McHugh. Together they would raise 5 children and welcome 10 grandchildren. Joe was a jack of all trades, having careers in numerous industries, including managing the kitchen and catering facilities at Case Western Reserve University, restaurant management for Bobs Big Boys and ending his working days as a laborer at Chesterfield Steel in Euclid.
Joe loved spending time with his family, playing softball and later in life found a passion for golf, golfing 18+ holes a day, until he reached his mid-80s. He loved listening to Indians games on the radio and watching the Browns on Sundays. Joe will be remembered fondly for his kind, quiet disposition, and his charming, elfish grin.
Joe is the loving husband of the late Margaret Colo (nee McHugh); dearest father of Denise (Bill) Ewald, Jim (Nancy) Colo, Joe (Lucy) Colo, Mike (Carla) Colo and Justina (Marc) LaSpina; beloved grandfather of Tessa, Emma and Olivia Colo, Tony Colo and Kris (Kevin) Kaczmarski, Caileigh (Erick Passmore-fiancé) Colo and Christian Colo, and Alec, Luca, and Gabe LaSpina; dear friend and companion of Virginia Erdman; brother of Virginia (Albert) Borovatz, Frank (Theresa) Colo and the late Albert (Linda) Colo, Theresa (Carmen) Gett, Guido (Sara) Colo, Alice (Bill) Fusaro, Alvera (Lefty) Zimmers and Hilda (Ab) Covolo.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday October 18, 2023, from 4:00 – 8:00 PM at Jeff Monreal Funeral Home, 1000 Mentor Ave., Painesville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday at 9:30am at St. John Vianney Church, 7575 Bellflower Rd., Mentor. Joe will be laid to rest at All Souls Cemetery in Chardon.
Donations can be made in Joe’s name to the Hospice of the Western Reserve www.hospicewr.org or to The Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org
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One Reply to “Virgilio Joseph Colo”
Condolences from Corinne and John all the Hurley clan. Words are never enough love from our family to the Colo family.
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