John Julian Paolino

He was born October 27, 1938, in Florence, Colorado to Albina (Nogavica) and John Paolino.

Upon receiving his MA from Colorado State College, Greeley, he entered the United States Air Force. In 1964 and 1965, J.J. flew more than 650 combat support sorties in Vietnam and logged more than 4,000 flying-hours during his military career. Since retiring from the Air Force in 1981, he worked at Arizona Public Service, LSI Logic and was a management consultant with numerous Fortune 500 companies. He served as an adjunct faculty member at Arizona State University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the Community Colleges of Arizona. He also served on the UNC Alumni Association Board of Directors.

J.J. is survived by his three children: Kris A. Paolino of Castle Rock, Colorado; Tish M. Paolino and Dana L. Paolino, both of Mukilteo, Washington; and five grandchildren: Caitlyn, Jake, Megan, Kade and Bret as well as numerous cousins and close relatives in and around the Canon City/Denver areas.

J.J. has close ties to the Air Force Academy where in the early ‘70s, he was the Director of Cadet Counseling and where currently his grandson, Cadet Wing Commander Jake Sortor, is in his 4th year. In the last four years, he has sponsored a number of cadets at his home acting as mentor, advisor and friend and was referred to as “Grandpa Jay”.

J.J. was taken from us far too soon and unexpectedly. He had many long-standing, close friends throughout his lifetime, and he will be missed by so many.

A funeral mass will be held Thursday, September 18, 2014 at St. Peter Catholic Church, 55 N. Jefferson Street, Monument, CO 80132 at 10:00 am followed by a Military burial at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 4400 W. Kenyon Avenue, Denver, CO 80236 at 1:00 pm.

Flowers may be sent to Swan-Law Funeral Home, 501 North Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.