Michael Joseph Lorenzini

Michael Joseph Lorenzini died at home Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010, in Ignacio, Colo., of lung cancer. He was 61. Known as Mike, he was born Jan. 26, 1949, to Joe and Mary (Dickson) Lorenzini in Olean, N.Y. His family moved to southern California when he was six years old. Mike joined the Marine Corps in 1968 and was a proud veteran of the Vietnam War. He said it was the defining moment of his life. He was a machine gunner and survived two TET offensives. Mike was so proud to be a veteran that he began buying t-shirts with the flag printed on them. He wore one every day, even buying his grandchildren little "flag" t-shirts. Mike held a variety of jobs in construction in California. He and his wife, Kathy, moved to Colorado in 1987, where he was hired by the Bureau of Reclamation. He worked on the Drill Crew for several years all over the West, finally being transferred to the Farmington office and eventually working at Navajo Dam in Operations and Maintenance. He often said it was the best job he ever had. Mike is survived by his wife, Kathy, of Ignacio; daughter Kerrie Lorenzini of Durango; son Sam (Amanda) Lorenzini of Ignacio; and three grandchildren. He is also survived by his parents, Joe and Mary Lorenzini, of Lancaster, Calif.; brother Steve Lorenzini of Bothell, Wash.; and sister Mary Jo Grange of Palmdale, Calif. He was preceded in death by an infant granddaughter, Mariah Lynn Lorenzini. A viewing will be held from 2-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010, at Hood Mortuary Chapel. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov., 4, 2010, at Ignacio Community Church. Burial will follow at Ignacio East Cemetery in Ignacio. A potluck dinner will be held after the service at the Ignacio Senior Center. Memorial contributions may be given to the American Cancer Society and the Ignacio Bike Rally. Checks for the Bike Week may be made payable to the Ignacio Chamber of Commerce, with Mike Lorenzini – I.B.W. printed in the memo. The address is P.O. Box 1223, Ignacio, CO 81137.