Obituary of Louis R. Iantorno

Louis Richard Iantorno

May 8, 1933 – August 4, 2023

Louis Richard Iantorno (“Lou” or “Luigi” to relatives and friends) was born May 8, 1933, at Mercy Hospital in Denver, Colorado, to Vincent (Vincenzo) Iantorno and Helen (Laura Elvira) De Lio who had emigrated from the Calabria Region of Italy. He was the second youngest of three siblings and four half-siblings, all of whom preceded him in death.

Lou grew up in what could aptly be described as the “Little Italy” section of North Denver, except for during the war years when the family lived in the Lincoln Park Projects.

Growing up was difficult at times as his Mom Helen was the primary breadwinner when his parents divorced; but the kids pitched in by doing odd jobs, including Lou who had the job of setting pins at a local bowling alley while in grade school. Due to their Mom’s amazing work ethic (she worked many years at a local bakery), tenacity and ability to provide the best upbringing for her children, Lou never wanted for any of life’s necessities – it can be said that her loving example shaped the young man he was to become, and the successful career he enjoyed as an adult.

Lou attended three elementary schools – Smedley, Franklin and Bryant Webster; went to Horace Mann Junior High School (where he learned and excelled in the woodworking class); and graduated from North High School. He played football and baseball his sophomore year, and sang with an a cappella group his senior year. He also worked as an after school janitor at Bryant Webster while attending high school. After high school graduation, Lou was employed by Shwayder Bros/Samsonite from 1951-1958.

He married Jean Elizabeth Rivera in August 1951 and they were blessed with three children – Cynthia Jean, Louis Richard Jr. and Laura Marie. In 1958, they bought a house at 3328 Federal Blvd in Denver; and then in 1970, using his carpentry/woodworking skills and tapping friends from the police force who were licensed tradesmen, he built their dream house by Hyatt Lake in Arvada, Colorado. Lou and Jean divorced in June 1973.

From 1958-1963, Lou worked at Custom Wood Products in Denver, a company specializing in custom wood interiors of banks and churches. This employment further refined his remarkable carpentry and cabinetry skills – skills he generously shared with his kids and their spouses as they married and performed home improvements of their own.

In 1963, Lou joined the Denver Police Department (DPD). Like all graduates of the Police Academy, his initial job was as a patrolman working a beat and responding to emergency calls. The one scenario that always instilled fear in him was responding to domestic disturbances which were highly unpredictable and potentially life threatening. He proudly recalled never once having to draw his firearm in these scenarios (or any other emergency he responded to), using his common sense and calming words to defuse the situation.

He was promoted to detective in 1972. He ended his 25 year career in 1988 in the Criminal Investigation Division, Vehicle Crimes Bureau. When Lou retired from the DPD, they recognized him for his dedicated and outstanding service with a plaque.

On September 11th, 1976, Lou married Renee LeaMichelle Ahlstrom at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Arvada, CO. Renee had two daughters: Michelle Renee and Rachelle Suzanne (“Suzi”). Sadly, Michelle passed in 1977. Lou legally adopted Suzi when she was seven years old, and she instantly became the “apple of his eye.”

In 1978, they moved to Coal Creek Canyon where, to no one’s surprise, he almost singlehandedly built a large 2-story woodworking shop. After retiring from the police force, they continued to live in the mountains spending time in the workshop and fishing. In 1993, they moved to Arvada where he started his prolific painting of nature scenes, mountain locations and animals. While working in his basement studio, he completed close to 200 paintings. He also continued his lifelong hobby of collecting coins, and began crafting fly fishing lures plus restoring old wooden fishing poles during the winter.

Every summer he would retreat to their mountain place in Grand County so that he could fish and share “war stories” with the other residents at the T Lazy W Park. Lou was the architect/builder of a special open-air pavilion for gatherings and events – a facility formally dedicated with an honorary plaque naming the pavilion “LOU’S PLACE.”

In his final days, Lou made beautifully crafted custom rosaries and gave one to each member of the family at his 90th birthday party. This special gift will always be a cherished remembrance of him.

Lou is survived by his wife Renee; his children Cynthia Jean Brozovich (Tom), Louis Richard Iantorno, Jr. (Danlyn), Laura Marie Martucci (Mark) and Suzanne Iantorno (Michael Godfrey); grandchildren Kristin Jantz, Laurel Brozovich (Mark Seferian), Lou Iantorno III (Joy Stamps), Lance Iantorno, Danielle Carpenter (Chris Van Buskirk), Shaun Carpenter (Natalie), Chandler Marvin and Taylor Marvin; and great grandchildren Eisley Jantz, Aurora Jantz, Elliotte Seferian, Blake Seferian and Sterling Van Buskirk. Lou was preceded in death by infant son Richard Louis (lost at birth), daughter Michelle Renee; sisters Marie, Angela and George; and half-siblings Frances, Rose, Theresa and Frank.