Daniel C. Putallaz

This is your life
The memoirs of Daniel Charles Putallaz

Daniel Charles Putallaz was born to Cyrille Joseph and Stella Katarina Putallaz on April 14, 1923 in Denver, Colorado. His father came to the United States May 1, 1904 through Ellis Island. He was born March, 1880 in the Chamoson Village located in the Rhone Valley of Switzerland.

His mother came to the United States in 1910 from Lithuania. There is very little known of your mother's history prior to coming to the United States. We believe she came here through Boston Massachusetts. Her maiden name was Stella Katarina. We do know that she was born in Lithuania on November 19, 1881. Her father was very old and he was the caretaker for the Governor estate. After she came to the States she met and married Stanley Kozack in 1915. Together before Staley's death they had a son named Albert, born in 1916 in Wyoming.

After the death of Stanley his mother met his father in Cambria, Wyoming and together they married in January, 1917.

Cyrille and Stella went on to have four children of their own. There first born was Celeste born in December, 1917. Then came Suzanne in December, 1920. Daniel was born in April, 1923 and their youngest child Margie was born in June, 1925. Celeste and Suzanne were born in Cambria, Wyoming. The family moved to Denver, Colorado and lived in a modest home at 1350 Lipan St.

His father worked hard to support his family. He worked in the mines and as a result of the complications he suffered from an accident and he died in August of 1935, leaving his mom to take care of her family. By then Al had joined the U.S. Air Force and was a crew chief. He and his sisters worked very hard to help his mother make ends meet. These were very tough times as this country was in the Great Depression. World War II was going on and the majority of the country struggled to even have enough food to eat much less a roof over their heads. He attended West High school in Denver but left there in his senior year to pursue other options. At the age of 16 he had a friend named Ben Ballis who bought both of them a bus ticket to California, working and sending money home to his mother. In September of 1942 he joined the U.S. Navy. During that time he was overseas in the Southern Pacific, Okinawa, and Camp Pendelton, California. While in Okinawa he was in a typhoon. In February of 1945 his brother Al was stationed at Lowery A.F.B. in Denver. He was on a training mission with which the plane he was on crashed and he died as a result of his injuries.

He left the Navy in November of 1945 and moved back to Denver.

In 1948 he met Joyce Warner. She had a daughter named Sharon. In April of 1949, he married Joyce and always considered Sharon to be his daughter.

In 1950 He and Joyce bought his first home in University Hills where you resided. In September of 1952, he joined the Denver Fire Department.

In December 1953, he and Joyce had a daughter whom they named Cherrie.

In 1956 he took his family on a wonderful trip to Yellowstone. The next year he took them to California. While they were there they went to San Francisco and Yosemite National Park. They had a nice long vacation that lasted 10 days.

In May 1958, he and Joyce and you had a son named Dan Allen.

As his family was growing out of their two bedroom home, he put on an addition in 1959.

During our childhood he worked very hard to give us a good life. For years he worked three jobs. He started off as an iron worker and then went on to build radio and television towers. Later he worked for AT and T as an inspector for the towers.

No matter how tired he was when he came home he always took time out to play with us kids or help us with our homework.

Twice a year we would go to Phoenix to visit mom's parents.

One of his loves was to go fishing and camping. He even taught himself to sew so that he could make sleeping bags, down coats and even a tent so that he and Dan could go camping.

In 1969 Dad added another bedroom to the house so that mom's mother could come and live with us after the death of our grandpa.

During our childhood I can remember going to grandma's house in Wheatridge so that we could help her in her beautiful yard. We picked many peaches, cherries and apples. Her Iris garden will always be a pleasant memory.

You were always there to help whether it was family or our neighbors. I can remember you spending countless hours shoveling snow for a disabled neighbor, trimming trees for the window across the street or taking a neighbor to the doctor. You were always helping the neighbors, never expecting anything in return other than a smile and a kind word.

In February 1976 your first grandson was born to Dan and Sandy. His name is Nathon Allen Putallaz and currently holds a position as a night Manager at a local grocery store. He has two children, Nathon born in October of 1996 and Peyton Olivia, born in March of 2001. Nate keeps very busy as both of his kids are involved in sports, just like their dad!

After serving 27 years on the Denver Fire Department he retired in 1979. Upon which Dan retired as an Assistant Fire Chief the second highest position in the Department.

He earned the respect of many of his fellow comrades. Many of which have since passed on. Up to your passing you continued to enjoy the company of your fellow firefighters as you attended monthly luncheons and occasionally had breakfast with them when they met on Mondays.

In July of 1980, your second grandson was born to Cherrie. His name is Nicholas Brandon, who was a Staff Sargent with the United States Marine Corp. He served in Iraq and now works for a big equipment company and is married to Charlotte, together they have two children, Corbin 6 and Charleigh is 1 year old.

In January of 1984 your third grandson was born to Cherrie. His name is Tyler Daniel (named after you). He works for Whole Foods and married in September of 2012 to Jamie. They are expecting their first child in July 2013.

Your wife Joyce passed away in 2005, you went on to spend your remaining years passing time with your family and friends, walking, and going to the mountains. One of your favorite things to do was to go to Ft. Collins to visit your niece Margie and her husband Darrell at their beautiful peaceful home near Horsetooth Reservoir. You spent countless hours with your son Dan, holidays at Cherrie's house and many a visit to see your daughter Sharon. Family was very important to you it shows in your offspring.

Dan you were always an honorable man, a faithful husband and a good provider, a wonderful loving, yet stern father. A grandpa who was there to proudly cheer on his grandsons at their football and soccer games, teach them to fish or tell them a story or two. A great brother to your sisters who are proud to call you their brother. You were a warm and loving Uncle to all of your nieces and nephews. A neighbor anyone would love to have and a kind and reliable friend.
One can never summarize everything that has happened in one's life.

These are just a few of the memories that begin to tell the story of a man that is loved by all that knew him and all whose live you have touched.

By Cherrie Putallaz Casey
With the help of her Aunts and cousins.

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