In Memory Of
Leo F. Milan
Leo F. Milan
In loving memory of Leo F. Milan, age 80 of Denver. Husband of Shirlee Anne (Barnes) Milan, father of Marcy (Bruce) Leonard, Leo "Chip" (Jeannie) Milan, Dennis (Sue) Milan, Gary (Bernelle) Milan and Chris Milan. Grandfather to 7 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He is survived by sisters Florence Pfau and Theresa Ortner, both of Holyoke, Colorado and brothers John Milan of Lakewood, Colorado and Thomas Milan of Greeley, Colorado.
Leo was born in Golden, Colorado on April 15, 1930 to Edward Joseph and Agnes (Brady) Milan. He attended South High School in Denver, and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Denver, Masters Degrees from the University of Colorado and Florida State University and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Denver. Leo's educational interests never ceased, gaining certification as a respiratory therapist, massage therapist, physical therapy aide, certified real estate appraiser, nationally certified athletic trainer, and attended many classes on computers.
As those who knew Leo are aware, Leo had a "storied" past, having left high school at the age of 16 to enlist in the Army in 1946. Leo served in Austria and Germany as a lineman and driver. After service in the Army was completed and in order to gain access to the benefits of the GI bill, Leo joined the Navy. Serving as an aerial photographer, Leo played basketball for the Armed Forces throughout Europe. An exceptional athlete, Leo also competed in the 1948 Olympic trials in Austria as a sprinter. His love of sports and athletics influenced his future career.
On April 21, 1951 he married Shirlee Anne Barnes. This union resulted in one daughter and four sons. Leo and Shirlee knew each other in childhood and would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on April 21, 2010. Leo and Shirlee loved to ballroom dance, long before it became as popular as it is now.
In 1952 Leo began his teaching and coaching career in Delta, Colorado. At Delta he taught biology and coached four sports: football, basketball, baseball, and track and field. He often marveled at what a "deal" Delta received at a salary of $2,400.00 a year. Returning to Denver, Leo began a career with the Denver Public Schools as a teacher, coach, referee and administrator that spanned 38 years. Leo developed a modular athletic training curriculum program at the Career Education Center in the Denver Public Schools which has been used as a model in many high schools and colleges nationally. Leo loved to teach students of all ages and taught at a number of colleges including Florida State University, Indiana State University, the University of Colorado, the University of Denver, and last but not least, the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
Leo had great Catholic faith. A product of his mother's daily rosaries and prayers, he formed a deep-seated belief in parochial education and his children attended Most Precious Blood Grade School and St. Francis De Sales High School. He was active in many aspects of the education and development of Most Precious Blood including fund raising resulting in a new church, gymnasium and convent.
It was not enough that Leo devoted his life to education. He was also quite an entrepreneur, having owned and sold a waste-management company; having developed a patented game called "Mat Jacks"; and having developed three miniature golf courses and driving ranges, including the designing of "Aqua Golf" next to Overland Golf Course in Denver. He bartended, cashed tickets at the old Centennial Race Track and sold Christmas trees to make money for the family. While involved with the ownership and management of various apartment conversions and other properties, he taught his sons how to paint, do carpentry, and just enough plumbing and electric to keep them out of trouble. Leo felt that with these skills, the boys would never be without a job.
Leo was so very proud of his Irish heritage, telling stories passed down from his mom and dad until his children knew them by heart. His sense of humor and smile never faded, even until the time of his passing.
Leo touched many lives during his lifetime including students, fellow teachers, fellow parishioners, parents and neighbors. Leo used to say that there weren't any strangers, just friends he hadn't met. Leo passed away peacefully on April 19, 2010 at Porter's Hospice at the Johnson Center. His family wishes to express their appreciation for all of the kind words, thoughts, memories and prayers that have been extended during the past few months of Leo's battle with cancer.
The family requests that any donations be sent to Porter's Hospice at Johnson Center in his name.
Leo was born in Golden, Colorado on April 15, 1930 to Edward Joseph and Agnes (Brady) Milan. He attended South High School in Denver, and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Denver, Masters Degrees from the University of Colorado and Florida State University and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Denver. Leo's educational interests never ceased, gaining certification as a respiratory therapist, massage therapist, physical therapy aide, certified real estate appraiser, nationally certified athletic trainer, and attended many classes on computers.
As those who knew Leo are aware, Leo had a "storied" past, having left high school at the age of 16 to enlist in the Army in 1946. Leo served in Austria and Germany as a lineman and driver. After service in the Army was completed and in order to gain access to the benefits of the GI bill, Leo joined the Navy. Serving as an aerial photographer, Leo played basketball for the Armed Forces throughout Europe. An exceptional athlete, Leo also competed in the 1948 Olympic trials in Austria as a sprinter. His love of sports and athletics influenced his future career.
On April 21, 1951 he married Shirlee Anne Barnes. This union resulted in one daughter and four sons. Leo and Shirlee knew each other in childhood and would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on April 21, 2010. Leo and Shirlee loved to ballroom dance, long before it became as popular as it is now.
In 1952 Leo began his teaching and coaching career in Delta, Colorado. At Delta he taught biology and coached four sports: football, basketball, baseball, and track and field. He often marveled at what a "deal" Delta received at a salary of $2,400.00 a year. Returning to Denver, Leo began a career with the Denver Public Schools as a teacher, coach, referee and administrator that spanned 38 years. Leo developed a modular athletic training curriculum program at the Career Education Center in the Denver Public Schools which has been used as a model in many high schools and colleges nationally. Leo loved to teach students of all ages and taught at a number of colleges including Florida State University, Indiana State University, the University of Colorado, the University of Denver, and last but not least, the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
Leo had great Catholic faith. A product of his mother's daily rosaries and prayers, he formed a deep-seated belief in parochial education and his children attended Most Precious Blood Grade School and St. Francis De Sales High School. He was active in many aspects of the education and development of Most Precious Blood including fund raising resulting in a new church, gymnasium and convent.
It was not enough that Leo devoted his life to education. He was also quite an entrepreneur, having owned and sold a waste-management company; having developed a patented game called "Mat Jacks"; and having developed three miniature golf courses and driving ranges, including the designing of "Aqua Golf" next to Overland Golf Course in Denver. He bartended, cashed tickets at the old Centennial Race Track and sold Christmas trees to make money for the family. While involved with the ownership and management of various apartment conversions and other properties, he taught his sons how to paint, do carpentry, and just enough plumbing and electric to keep them out of trouble. Leo felt that with these skills, the boys would never be without a job.
Leo was so very proud of his Irish heritage, telling stories passed down from his mom and dad until his children knew them by heart. His sense of humor and smile never faded, even until the time of his passing.
Leo touched many lives during his lifetime including students, fellow teachers, fellow parishioners, parents and neighbors. Leo used to say that there weren't any strangers, just friends he hadn't met. Leo passed away peacefully on April 19, 2010 at Porter's Hospice at the Johnson Center. His family wishes to express their appreciation for all of the kind words, thoughts, memories and prayers that have been extended during the past few months of Leo's battle with cancer.
The family requests that any donations be sent to Porter's Hospice at Johnson Center in his name.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Leo F. Milan, please visit our flower store.
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Fort Logan National Cemetery - Staging Area / Shelter "C"
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