Patrick "Bibs" Solano

Patrick "Bibs" Solano was born on July 4, 1938, and he left this world on September 27, 2025. Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Bibs spent his life cracking a perpetual stream of anecdotes and jokes-many of which leaned toward the inappropriate side.

He spent his younger years in east Denver with his six siblings, causing mischief. He often spoke fondly about his childhood, the people from his neighborhood, his beloved pigeons, and his mother's cooking. He went on to join the Marines and would frequently regale us with stories about how he was the worst Marine. In a uniform too big and boots too large, he was once yelled at for an hour because his size was so hard to outfit. Choosing not to re-up his contract, he left the Marines just before the Vietnam war. They told him he was "just the right size for something that was in the works" and he knew that wasn't a good thing.

His siblings would say he came back a changed man, often performing white-glove inspections on their rooms. His sister Josie told him she knew just the place he could take that white glove to.

Bibs married Delores Picon (Trujillo) in 1962, and they had two sons, Stephen and Christopher. Patrick worked as a glazer and contractor for many years, and in the early 90's, he helped care for his grandchildren, Erica and Andrew. He taught Erica how to read and how to play Rummy. She still remembers his taunts, (he never let her win) "Points, Erica. Points."

Later in life he discovered a passion for dogs. He bred Akitas and Australian Cattle Dogs and started a business that eventually would take him to Grand Junction. There, he not only trained and showed his own dogs, but also taught obedience, agility, and herding to others– when he wasn't accidentally starting field fires for mild entertainment.

Though he lived hours away, Bibs visited often and could always be counted on to support his grandchildren, toss light jabs at referees during their sporting events, catch a movie with the family while devouring all the popcorn one piece at a time, or go out to eat at Sam's for his favorite chili–straight with a Curtis Street burger. He'd inevitably tell you how he could get that same meal and go to the movies for less than a dollar in the good ol' days.

In the last 4 years of his life, he moved back home to live with his son Stephen and daughter-in-law, Renee, where he kept the television at a volume far too loud and played with the dog all day. He enjoyed spending time with his sister and caretaker Christine, and visiting with his friend Marilynn (and no, they didn't play Scrabble).

Patrick lived a good life, a well spent one. Ornery until the end.