Eugene "Geno" Anthony Antista

 “GENO” EUGENE ANTHONY ANTISTA, 85 of Cottonwood, Arizona, passed away surrounded by his family after a brief illness on Monday, August 7, 2023.

 Geno was born on April 28, 1938 in Los Angeles, California. Geno grew up in Monrovia and attended Arcadia High School.

 In 1956, Geno married his high school sweetheart, Claire McComas of Arcadia. They had three beautiful daughters together.

 In 1974, Geno married Sherry McCormick. Geno was proud to raise her two sons as his own. They had another son together.

Years later, Geno fell in love with Gayle Brazzelle. They had one beautiful daughter together.

Geno’s greatest love was his family. He loved his mother’s Italian cooking. He worked on his knees laying floors to provide for his family, never complaining. As a master craftsman, he trained many young men, including his sons and nephews, in his trade. They all learned many life lessons along the way, and are better men for it.

In his younger days he enjoyed working on cars, going to the Santa Anita Racetrack with his father and family, and playing pool in the garage. Geno was a lifelong Raider’s fan; he wanted nothing more than to see them win the Super Bowl again. “Maybe this year, Geno!”

He was a happy and kind hearted soul, but could be a stinker at times. Every night he prayed for all of us. When we faced troubled times he came to the rescue – and prayed more. He never held a grudge and was always forgiving. Wherever the road led, he never met a stranger – everyone was his friend. He was very happy living “on the Mountain.”

Geno is survived by his children: Kathy Zoll (Gary), Karen Lovelady (Todd), Debra Bianchi (Eric), Andrea Cross (Chris), Ace Jones, Lee Jones (Lisa), Anthony Antista (Sonia); Geno’s nephews and niece: Earl Harris (Cookie), Michael Hardy (Jerra), and Vanessa Hofmann (Bill); Twenty grandchildren: Angela, Tiffany, Kahlah, Steven, Marcella, Eric, David, Mark Allen, Noah, Andy, Amanda, Ally, Ashton, Lauren, Jenna, Victoria, Fernando, Santiago, Cannon, and Calum; Twenty great-grandchildren: Bethany, Madalyn, Benjamin, Olivia, Isla, Paloma, Lyric, Jaxon, Phoenix, Matthew, Abigail, Joshua, Carson, Parker, Tobias, Waylon, Kayden, Winter, Carter, and Mercer.

 Geno is preceded in death by his parents: Anthony “Tony” Dyer Antista and Angeline Marie Antista (Cappozola); his two sisters: Anne Hardy and Jaqueline Harris; his common law spouse: Gayle Brazzelle; his niece, Lisa Hardy-Bass; his nephew, David Hardy; his uncle and aunt Anthony and Theresa Capps Capozzolo.

Geno will be laid to rest at Roselawn Cemetery in Pueblo, Colorado. Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Monday, August 21, 2023 from 3 till 5pm at the Roselawn Funeral Home. Funeral mass will be held Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Pueblo at 9:30 A.M.

 Geno made monthly donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. It would bring a smile to his face if you made a memorial donation to either of his favorite charities in his honor. In the venerable words of our beloved Geno Antista, “I’m tellin’ ya!”

 Rest in peace Dad.

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