Gene “Geno” Luigi Guccione, 79, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2026, at Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center in Salida, Colorado.
He was born in Gesuiti, Cosenza, Calabria, Italy, to Pete and Carolina Concetta (Giorno) Guccione. His father, Pete, and Pete’s twin brother, Tony, immigrated to Colorado in 1956, and Geno followed in 1958, alongside his mother, sister Nellie, sister Emily, and brother Frank. After graduating from Salida High School in 1968, he was drafted into the United States Army in 1969 and served in the Vietnam War from 1971 to 1972 as a mechanic with the 84th Engineer Brigade. Following his military service, Geno worked for Colorado Fuel and Iron (CF&I) at Monarch Lime Quarry until 1984. He then joined the Salida School District, where he served for over 30 years as head of the maintenance department and as an assistant baseball coach.
Geno raised two sons as a single father, sacrificing without hesitation so that Chris and Stephen could have every opportunity to succeed. Nothing brought him greater pride and joy than witnessing their accomplishments.
He is survived by his son Christopher (Amy) Guccione and granddaughter Gemma; his son Stephen (Margaret) Guccione and grandson Leo; his brother Frank (Valerie) Guccione; his sister Emily (Benny) Leo; his sister-in-law Ruth Guccione; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Remo “Lucio” Guccione, and sister, Nellie Lemley.
Services for Geno will be held on Wednesday, April 8th, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home, 203 East Sackett Avenue Salida, Colorado with Military Honors to follow. There will be a celebration of life reception after at H&T Construction, 11845 County Road 140, Poncha Springs.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) https://heroes.vfw.org/page/21776/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=Closed_Form
Arrangements in care of Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home.
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