February 18, 1945 - February 26, 1999
First-generation

Born to Alessandro & Edith Iacovetta (née Chiurini). Married Barbara Pisterzi on August 7, 1965. Attended Westminster High School. Worked for the City of Westminster for several years, eventually becoming Manager of Water & Wastewater Departments. Known for his massive, handmade Christmas lights display.

April 22, 1915–January 23, 1977
First-generation

Sergeant Xavier E. Rossi, born on April 22nd 1915 in Welby, Colorado, was the oldest son and the second of the five living children of Nick (Nicola) Rossi of Castiglione di Carovilli and Laura (Theodora) James (DiGiacomo). Like many Italian American men during World War II, he entered into the United States Army. Xavier entered in to active service on November 5th, 1941 as a Gun Crewman in Light Artillery. He was sent to the Pacific Theater in the Southern Philippines in August of 1942. While there he set a Rapid Fire Record during the Battle of Luzon by firing 82 rounds in the first 14 minutes. He received an Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 bronze star. After returning back to the US in September of 1945, home from the war and happy to be back with his family on the farm in Welby, one of the first things Xavier did was buy his dad a 1946 Ford 9N tractor! Unfortunately, being a gunner in the war took its toll on Xavier and he began drinking to cope with what he had been through. Xavier Rossi remained single through out his life and resided on the family farm on 78th Avenue until he died on January 23, 1977 of liver cirrhosis. The farm was sold by the family in 2001 to Steelock Fence Company when Xavier's sister, Florence Ciancio, could no longer maintain the 10 acres on her own; but the family does still have the old Ford Tractor!

—submitted by Jamie Yantorno

July 13, 1915–January 9, 2000
First-generation

Born to Giuseppe and Clementina Pisterzi in Sunnyside, Utah. Attended Regis High School in Denver. Enlisted in U.S. Army Air Corp in 1942, beginning his service as a “Yard Bird” and ending as a Technical Sergeant. Also served as a B-29 Tail Gunner.

Completed eight Hump trips and two combat missions. Became a prisoner of war during his third combat mission, the Rangoon Fiasco (1944). Due to premature detonation, his and several other B-29s crashed. The survivors were taken prisoner. Liberated April 1945.

Henry received numerous awards including the Purple Heart. After he was released from military service, Henry married Barbara Windholz from Kansas. They lived on a small farm on 64th & Lowell in Arvada and had two daughters. Henry worked for Mountain Bell Telephone Company and operated an upholstery business on the side. He retired in 1975.

At 5’-0 tall, he famously said, “Dynamite comes in small packages.”

September 5, 1915–April 17, 2008
Native from San Polo Matese, Campobasso

Married Gaetano DeGregorio of Civita Superiore di Boiano and had four daughters. The couple and their two younger daughters immigrated to the United States in 1962. Originally settled at 3722 Shoshone St. in North Denver.

Lucia worked as a cook for Patsy’s Inn most of her life. She was a no-nonsense woman with street smarts and a knack for business.

Second-generation (roots in Guamo & Sant’Andrea di Compito, Lucca (Tuscany)

This last year I came to know, fully appreciating along with wanting to honor that I got my drive, entrepreneurship, athletic ability( and love of cars) from my Italian ancestors. My grandmother Altomira Rossini and grandfather Giovanni Batista Orsi , Paolo Rossini ( my GGF )immigrated to California from around Lucca area. I worked as a medical provider, physical therapist in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, taking care of the USA Figure Skating Team. Less than 1% of providers ever get this opportunity and experience. This drive and persistence , I now know stems from my Italian grandparents who immigrated from Northern Italy to central CA in the early 1900's. I moved to CO in 1998 and owned and built a private physical therapy practice in Parker,CO for 16 years. My Grandfather and biological father owned Orsi and Son's a blacksmith shop building large trucks beds in central California for companies like Pepsi. My father was football player and founding member of the Italian Sports and Bocce Club in Stockton, CA. Unfortunately, my grandparents and father died before I was able to meet them. Although is a great loss to me, as an adult I've been learning about my family and Italian heritage through other family members and research so I can share and celebrate our amazing Italian heritage .

I was a competitive figure skater and Gold Test medalist 1979. From 2009 to 2022 provided medical care as the Physical Therapist for many International Figure Skating events including Worlds, Grand Prix Finals, Four Continents, and the Olympics

Graduate of California State Long Beach, BS Physical Therapy/ BA Psychology

Owner All Sports Physical Therapy in Colorado and sold in 2021

Married and Mother of 2 children, 2 step children, and 2 grandchildren