Andrew "Andy" Lovato

At 78 years young, Andy was a recent resident of The Villages and a longtime resident of Denver, Colorado. Andy leaves his beloved son Andrew M. Lovato and his wife Kelly of The Villages and grandson David Lovato.

He was predeceased by his parents, Sylvia Maria Flores and Alphonso Lovato and brothers Roger and Jesse Lovato. They all paved the way for his transition to a new Realm.

He leaves his best friend Rudy Zamora who recently visited for a little casino fun.

After attending Annunciation High School in Denver, he served our country in the Marine Corps Reserves 1969 to 1971.

Andy was a four-sport athlete in high school: baseball, basketball, boxing and football. In 1967 he struck out 16 batters in 13 innings in the last game of the season. Due to exceptional skills as a pitcher, he earned a baseball scholarship to Adams State College and earned a B.A. in Political Science. He was also named heavy-weight boxing champion in his senior year. As for football, he was known as "The Tank" and "Lovato, The Land Destroyer."

At 18 he almost died from stab wounds in a hate crime against Mexican Americans. This event prompted him to fight for civil rights with

Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzalez. Among those he called close friends were activists U.S. Secretary of Energy & Transportation Federico F. Pena from the Clinton cabinet and Richard M. Castro, the first Hispanic State Representative in Denver.

Andy worked as a Social Worker and Counselor to troubled youth, teen mothers and young inmates. He taught them life skills, job training and gave them a path forward to succeed.

He was a loving, single parent to his son "A.J" and attentive abuelo to his grandson David. He loved playing piano, Denver's jalapeno burgers, Coney Island Hot dogs and a chocolate milkshake.

At his retirement, he worked as a landscaper for the Denver Parks and Recreation Department beautifying the city with flowers.

He leaves many friends and family from Colorado, New Mexico and Florida. He was a truly loved and admired gentleman who always offered a helping hand to the less fortunate and made a difference in thousands of lives. He will be greatly missed. "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away," the Latin song De Colores. RIP Andy