Orazio "Russ" Tirella

Just like he lived his life, when he was done….he was done. O.C. “Russ” Tirella (aka Simba) decided he was ready to move on to his next journey on September 25, 2022, and he did it “his way” at home, surrounded by his family.  He started the day telling us the Broncos would lose their Sunday night game, but by mid-afternoon he was telling us that he was ready to go, he was blessed with a wonderful family, that he loved us and finished with his signature saying, “Godspeed”.  Although he was ready to meet his beloved wife (who preceded him in death 13 months to the day) on the Lido Deck, we will miss him terribly.  Russ was a loving, self-less, funny, caring Italian man and father.  He was a first-generation Italian American whose father jumped ship in Norfolk Virginia to get revenge on the Mafia (that’s a story for another time).  His mother came over from Sicily at the age of 3 through Ellis Island.  He grew up in NYC and his parents only spoke Italian, but somehow, he was able to learn “Can I have a cigarette?” in English when he was 10 years old.  He transitioned from cigarettes to vapes when he was 78 years old…who said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?!

Russ was a stereotypical Italian husband and father…he provided for his wife and children, while never touching a dish, diaper, or a vacuum….ever.  At one time, he was studying to be a Catholic priest.  That abruptly ended when he met a woman who, on their first date, told him “If I never see you again, it will be too soon”.  As luck would have it, that ended up being Marge, his wife of 58 years and mother of his 7 children.  His strong faith (and the Catholic guilt) never left him though, so he joined the Knights of Columbus.  He also proudly served in the Air Force and loved to use his military discount any time he could.  Do you know you can get free propane with that?  He took his family to the Air Force football games on Saturdays and always told us that he landed the plane right next to the Air Force Academy football field.  He also always thanked any man or woman that he saw in public in their uniform for their service.

His careers involved either negotiating contracts or finances.  He even wrote a book entitled “Win-Win Negotiating”.  Those negotiating skills came in handy with his 7 children.  He traded in his briefcase (which he still had) for car keys.  He was the original Uber driver….either driving his grandkids home from school (with stops at any store they convinced him to take them to) or he was driving his favorite route - to the airport!!!  He LOVED picking up people from the airport and would always have a bottle of water for his passengers.  Dad’s favorite “season” was tax season, as he was always the trusty accountant for the family.

Although Russ held some big time jobs in his life (negotiating contracts in the Middle East), he never thought he was better than anyone else.  He would give the shirt off of his back to anyone, volunteer with the family cleaning business, and buy food for people in need on the side of the road.  The only time his elitism would show up was when he would only fly business class or when he was offered chicken salad.  He would NEVER eat chicken salad…he was too good for that.

Other fun facts about Russ:

-He was very proud that he once flew on the Concord from London to JFK in 3.5 hours

-He wanted balsamic vinegar added to any meal

-He collected stamps, rubberbands, paperclips and Tom Clancy books

-He would always give you some money or leftover chips/candy when you were going on a trip

- He loved his one can of Pepsi a day, banana splits, salt and vinegar chips, grape slushies, Big Red gum and watching sports…especially boxing

-He would leave an article on the counter (or mail it to you) if he read something that reminded him of you

-He always bought lottery tickets and never bought fresh flowers because “that is a waste of money because they just die”

-He loved “taking out the trash”, but would always come back suspiciously smelling of cigarettes

-He tore up every piece of mail before putting it in the trash and would sit on every envelope to ensure it was sealed

-He loved flying and travel.  He took his family on many vacations throughout his life, although we almost missed Hawaii when he left all 9 printed out plane tickets in the airport bathroom.

-His favorite song was “My Way” by Frank Sinatra.  Not sure if it was the Italian connection, or if it was his perpetual wish since he never got his way due to all of his kids and grandkids

-Nothing excited him more than an impending storm, weather “red alerts”, or bringing in firewood to have a fire

His most annoying habit was watching “Breaking News” 24 hours a day.  However, we liked having political and news related conversations with him, because, even if he didn’t agree, he would actually listen and try to be open to opposing viewpoints.  He would share his side, but in an educational way.

Anyone that met Russ was always left laughing, with a good story (true or not) and with a genuine feeling that he wanted to learn about them.  When Russ was undergoing chemo 9 years ago for pancreatic cancer (what a blessing to survive that), he would bring the chemo staff donuts.  When any doctor would ask him about his medical history, he would tell them that it was protected by HIPPA and that he couldn’t share anything.  He told everyone he worked for the CIA and that he would tell them what he did, but he would have to kill them.  Whenever he drove up I-70 and got his first great glimpse of the Rocky Mountains, he would break out in “Oh beautiful, for spacious skies….”  He always had a soft spot in his heart for Native Americans having their land stolen from them and he would donate to them on a regular basis.  He always was inspired by Mother Teresa and made a lifelong dream come true when he went to volunteer at two of her facilities in Calcutta, India.  He was extremely genuine and intentional with his interest in anyone and everyone he came in contact with. 

Simba was very proud of his “pride”.  As proud of us as he was, we were equally as fortunate to have him as our dad.  We were honored to share his everyday life with him and care for him as a family until he left this world.  A true treasure is that his namesake, Orazio “Razi” Daugherty, had a firsthand experience of why he was honored to share a name with him. 

Finally, he loved his family regardless of how different we all are.  For example, he loved Stacy for her dedication to taking care of him, bringing him apple turnovers every day and filling his vapes, Teresa for her cooking and spa days that she provided to him, Michele for her medical help and advocacy, Joe for his similar love of planes, Angie for the way she intentionally connects with people and Saturday trips to Costco (which she learned from dad’s weekly trips to Pace….does anyone else remember Pace before Costco?) and her leg massages, Katie for her tips on how to save a penny and her cabbage rolls, and Regina for providing him a laugh…like when she put his oxygen on him, told him she loved him and went to bed.  He then called 5 minutes later because Regina never turned the oxygenator ON.  We all have different strengths, right?

Russ lived a life well-lived, and we all live better because of him.   And, as Russ would say, “Godspeed”, good wishes on your journey.  BTW, he would hate this obituary because it is much too long…but par for the course Dad, you didn’t get your way on this!  And just like you always said to us when you were done talking and wanted to watch TV….don’t let the door hit you on the way out!

There will be a private mass for the immediate family. A Committal service (for both Orazio and Margaret) will be held at Ft. Logan National Cemetery on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at 1:15 PM (staging area C). 

A Celebration of Life Lunch will then follow at the family home at 3:00 PM.  Please reach out to family members for more information.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:  Foothills Animal Shelter www.foothillsanimalshelter.org 

His legacy will be carried on by: Teresa and Bobby Stransky, Michele and Barry Brewster, Stacy Tirella, Katie and Damon Dirksen: Joe and Jenefer Tirella, Regina Tirella and Quinston Daugherty, Angie and Chuck Dwyer and all his grand-children.

Characteristics that grandkids got from him:

Sara Schaefer -  Intentionality

Steven Dirksen – sense of adventure and story telling

Megan Dirksen – generosity and budgeting

Beth Brewster –  sense of humor and love for family

Ben Brewster – thoughtful and generosity

Matthew Tirella – love of planes, identifying planes from 30,000 feet and traveling

Maggie Tirella –  love of animal and enjoying alone time

Carol Tirella – adventure and salt and vinegar chips

Ella Daugherty – biting sarcasm and deep compassion for other

Quinn Daugherty – strong work ethic

Orazio “Razi” Daugherty – namesake and literal language

Julia Dwyer – sarcasam

Annika Dwyer –  sports memory and tracking people on life 360

Makayla Dwyer – love of softball and when you’re done, you’re done

Cambria Dwyer – likes hugs and being funny

Robby Stransky

Jacob Stransky

Anthony Stransky

Beau Stransky

Max Stransky

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