Joseph Anthony DiGregorio

Joseph Anthony DiGregorio, 61, of Denver, Colo., died unexpectedly at home on November 10, 2016

Joe was born in Trinidad, Colo., June 16, 1955 to Julius and Frances (née Amato) DiGregorio. He attended Holy Trinity Catholic School. After graduation he attended Trinidad State College and University of Colorado Boulder earning a BS in economics before heading back home to head the Huerafano/Las Animas Council of Government for several years.

In 1986 Joe earned his Doctorate of Juris Prudence at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash. He worked in private practice as a defense attorney in Spokane before moving back to Colorado. in order to be closer to his family. After a stint in Glenwood Springs with the Garfield County Attorney’s Office, Joe moved to Denver to work for the Denver Attorney’s Office. During his tenure with Denver City Attorney’s Office Joe became expert in child support and paternity issues and was instrumental in writing laws to improve the lives of children throughout the state.

Even while practicing law, Joe was always interested in learning new things. He became a certified welder, learned to repair and restore his many antique clocks and found new ways to repair and restore his car collection. But his love was wood working. His time in his wood shop produced much of the furniture in his home.

Even though health problems dogged him for several years, Joe remained optimistic, tenacious, curious, generous and involved in the lives of family and friends.

Joe is survived by his wife Gwen McCargar; stepsons Mathew Gains of Las Vegas, N.M. and Rob McCargar (Randi) of Saratoga, Wyo.; grandchildren Kaycee and Samantha of Saratoga, Wyo.; sister Francine DiGregorio of Trinidad, Colo.; brother David DiGregorio of Indianapolis, Ind.; niece Julie Palola (John) of Aurora, Colo.; nephew Mark William Schultz of Colorado Springs, Colo.

Services in Denver will be 1 p.m December 1, 2016 at. at St. Paul’s Community Church, 8001 W. 23rd Avenue, Lakewood, Colorado 80214 with reception to follow.

Services in Trinidad will be December 2, 2016 at 10 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, interment to follow at Trinidad Catholic Cemetery and reception at 12 p.m. at Trinidad Holiday Inn.