Fred Carl "Sonny" Ciancio, 83, of Thornton, passed away November 21, 2015.

He was born December 28, 1931 in Denver, Colorado, the son of Carl and Mary (Dugan) Ciancio. He was a graduate of Manual High School. He served in the United States Navy from 1951- 1954 as a Navigator and Quartermaster 2nd Class during the Korean Conflict. He participated as an LCVP landing craft group leader for the the majority of the amphibious assaults and beach landings on the Korean peninsula during the conflict. He made numerous trips to the beach each landing, leading other landing craft delivering Marines to the beaches. After the conflict, he entered the restaurant business with his father where he worked the majority of his career. On July 17, 1958 he married Ellen Liston, of Denver, Colorado. Following the sale of his restaurant, Sonny joined the United States Postal Service where he rose to the level of supervisor and instructor for tractor trailer truck drivers. In retirement, one of his passions was adopting stray cats and building elaborate environments for them.

Fred is survived by his son, Steven (Dee) Ciancio of Denver, CO; daughter, Mary Ann (Harold Derheim) Ciancio of Seattle, WA; grandson, Paolo Ciancio, and active U.S. Marine combat engineer; sister, Beverly (Robert) Ficco of Denver, CO; nieces, Lori (Andrew) May of Erie, CO and Vicki (Marty) Wickman of Wheatridge, CO; nephew, Mark (Ami) Ficco of Littleton, CO; great nieces and nephews, Andrew, Jack, Riley, and Sofia; and many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ellen Ciancio and parents, Carl & Mary Ciancio.

Memorial contributions may be made the Alzheimer’s Association or Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

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