Michael Stephen Hentosh

Michael Stephen Hentosh (79) passed away Tuesday, October 17, 2023. Michael was born September 29, 1944 in Youngstown, Ohio, the first-born son of Mike (Mickey) and Betty (Elizabeth Sagan) Hentosh. He attended St. Rose Parochial School in Girard and Ursuline High School in Youngstown, OH (1958 – 1962) where he was active in sports. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Youngstown State University in 1968. He was then employed briefly by Ford Motor Company in Detroit, MI, but was soon drafted into the U. S. Army. He served his country for 18 months from May, 1969 until November, 1970. He did one tour of duty in Vietnam, was stationed in Saigon, Vung Tau and Can Tho and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant First Class. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal. One of his favorite Vietnam era songs was “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” by Iron Butterfly, and he was a life-long fan of James Taylor.

Post-military duty, he resumed employment at Ford’s Dearborn, MI stamping plant in Production Control. While in Michigan, he met, fell in love with and married Carleen A. Poplawski. Together they had a beautiful daughter Samantha in 1987. Michael was very proud of his daughter, and he encouraged her and worked with her to develop her cross country and track skills. He retired from Ford’s in 1999 after 31 years employment. His dream then was to live in Colorado, and he achieved that dream by moving to Estes Park, CO.

Michael loved Colorado and exploring the national parks. He was known to do 20 mile hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. He also liked ’57 Chevy’s and his very unique 1999 7-up Green Ford Mustang Cobra convertible. And he enjoyed volunteering for the Estes Park Lions Club as a member and president. He always believed and stated that sometimes it took a little extra effort to maintain family ties. He was instrumental in organizing countless backpacking and family camping trips out west and sometimes to Indiana in the dead of winter. He was the early morning riser who provided hot coffee on those cold mornings of our camping trips. These family activities enabled us to visit many national parks and have left us with treasured memories. His and Carleen’s house was also the gathering place for Thanksgivings and Christmas celebrations. They would drive hundreds of miles to visit us his siblings to attend re-unions, graduations, retirement parties. Family interactions were very important to him.

Michael was generous in spirit, time and commitment. He was involved for many years in organizing an annual “John Denver Tribute” fundraising concert for the Lions Club and its Pancake Breakfasts. He was extremely good hearted and would always lend a hand and good advice when asked to do so. His smile was infectious. He was so balanced and fair; you knew you would always get an honest answer/comment from him. He encouraged all of us to set our own dreams, and provided a good example that hard work and perseverance will help you achieve them.

Michael is survived by his loving wife Carleen of 41 years, his very patient and loving daughter Samantha and her spouse Bryant Finley (whom Michael always respected and admired, and liked to verbally spar with) and their two children: Oliver and Theo Finley. He was a caring, dedicated grandfather to Oliver and Theo and took them to view the big locomotives, made snow people and set up his vintage American Flyer train set under the Christmas tree for them. Hopefully the grandchildren will continue Michael’s legacy of exploring and camping. He also leaves his favorite sister Patty Hentosh (spouse Dennis Peffley), brother Bill Hentosh, brother Richard (Kathy) Hentosh, Aunt Katherine Sagan, Aunt Anne Sagan, four nieces, a step-nephew and too many cousins to name in the Ohio and east coast areas.

The family thanks the medical staff at UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, CO for their thoughtful medical treatment of Michael. We also thank Mike’s long time friend from Ford–Larry Plopan–for Larry’s unwavering support during Mike’s recovery over the last year.

A Celebration of Michael’s Life will be held Friday, November 3 at Allnutt Funeral Home in Estes Park, CO from 4 to 6 PM. On Saturday, November 4, a funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church in Estes Park, CO at 10 AM.

Donations on Michael’s behalf can be made to: Fort Collins Vet Center, 702 West Drake Rd., Suite C, Fort Collins, CO 80526 or the Loveland Lions Club, P.O. Box 928, Loveland, CO 80539.

Treasured memories of Michael and words of condolence for his family are welcome at www.allnuttestespark.com.