Paul Michael Tartaglia

Paul Michael Tartaglia May 21, 1940 - March 13, 2010 Paul Michael Tartaglia of Fruita, Colorado passed away peacefully on March 13, 2010. He was 69. His wife of 46 years, Stephanie, was by his side. Paul was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Paul and Edna Tartaglia and spent the majority of his life there. In 2005, he and Stephanie relocated to Fruita, CO where they created a fabulous life. A hard worker, Paul was a florist by trade and owned and operated Tartaglia Flowers and Gifts in Albuquerque for 25 years. He was also an entrepreneur and owned businesses in cattle ranching, taxidermy, painting, photography and most recently, raising white doves for release at celebrations. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing. He was active in the community and served the Fruita Chamber of Commerce as an Ambassador and was honored as the 2008 Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year. A beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, friend and bringer of smiles to those he met everyday, Paul will be missed. He loved his family and is survived by his wife, Stephanie; his sister, Loretta Dow of Albuquerque; his children, Debra and Jim Remy of Loma, CO; Paula and Hans Persson of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA; Joy Tartaglia and Robert Braziel of Rio Rancho, NM. His five grandchildren, Shannon and Matthew Remy, Brianna Braziel and Lina and Emma Persson will miss him very much. He had one great granddaughter, Kira Knecht. Paul's family would like to publicly thank the nurses and physicians at Family Health West in Fruita,CO and St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction, CO, the Fruita Police Department and the Lower Valley Fire Department. Any donations in Paul's name may be made to Family Health West, P.O. Box 130, Fruita, CO 81521 or the Lower Valley Fire District, P.O. Box 520, Fruita, CO 81521. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on March 19, 2010 at Callahan-Edfast in Grand Junction, CO.