Louis Joseph Luchetta

Louie Luchetta, 88, died on November 30, 2022 at UC Memorial Central Hospital in Colorado Springs.

Louie was born July 12, 1934, in Montrose, CO to Louis Sr. and Elvera Luchetta. He grew up in the small town of Sargents, at the base of Monarch Pass.  During  his teenage years he worked as a ranch-hand on ranches near Sargents and Gunnison.    He also was a boxer on the Gunnison High boxing team.    After graduating from Gunnison High School in 1952, worked at several different mines, including the limestone mine on Monarch Pass. 

From 1956 to 1958 , he served in the US Army, stationed  in Germany during the Cold War, working as a radio mechanic.   He very much enjoyed  the service and  seeing the world so far away from his hometown.  After his military service, Louis returned to Colorado and began living in Salida.    In 1958, he  married  Roberta “Bobbi” Ellis and they made their home in Salida where they raised their 2 children, Mike and Kathy.

After his military service and Louie worked various local mines, and as a mechanic.  He also enjoyed racing cars and was active in local small track racing.       He began working at the  Climax Mine in 1961 and worked there for more than 25 years, initially on the form crew and later as an electrician. 

For many of his years working at Climax, Louie drove a panel with other miners to and from work.   Ironically ,  he was known as a  careful and reliable driver (in spite of his race driving past).   

After retiring from Climax mine, Louie completed electrical jobs for local contractors and residents, sometimes getting compensated with homemade bread and pies.   He was well known as a hard worker and handyman that could figure out the most challenging of repairs. His largest “extra” project was an extensive addition and renovation of the family home. Louie and his close friend, Rich Furton, along with the support of other friends, completed the job on their evenings,  weekends and holidays while working at Climax,

Louie especially enjoyed winemaking with his brother, Jim, and others on the “West Side”.   The festivities often included extended family and friends and resulted in a good wine supply which he liked to generously share with friends.  Louie also enjoyed gambling excursions to Cripple Creek and was known at the Colorado Grande as “Lucky Louie”.

He was an avid Bronco fan and Salida Spartan booster. He often drove a carload of loyal Spartan fans to out-of-town football and basketball games.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing ,  and he and his brother-in -law, Bill Heister were a great team. He was a member of the local Elks Lodge and thoroughly enjoyed working on the serving committee for many years.   He was honored by the Elks Lodge as the 1980 Elk of the Year.

Louie was a faith-filled man and active member of St. Joseph’s Parish. He had a “special” pew he often liked to sit in the back corner of the church.

Family and friends said Louie was a gentle soul with a big heart and kind smile. He was dearly loved and will be missed by those who knew him.

Survivors include his son Mike Luchetta and daughter Kathy (Jim) Arena, 4 grandkids- Nicolas Luchetta, Jennifer Luchetta, Danielle Arena, Matthew Arena, his brother Jim (Emma) Luchetta, Betty (Bill) Heister, Louise Gibson. Louie was preceded in death by his wife, Bobbi, who passed away in October, 2022.

A celebration of his life and funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 10, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to the St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Arrangements are with Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home in Salida, CO.

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