John D. Murgel Jr, 67, a former Pueblo native, retired educator and longtime Greeley resident passed away August 26th. John was the loving son of dear mother and dad Mamie (Giarratano) Murgel and the late John D. Murgel Sr., faithful and loving brother to Joseph (Jonelle) and Frank Murgel, and beloved uncle to his niece and nephew, Angela and John (Meagan) Murgel. He is also survived by Uncle John Giarratano, Aunt Mary (Giarratano) Gersick, Aunt Mariann (Spagnoli) Giarratano, and numerous close cousins in Colorado and New Mexico. John was born in Portland Oregon in 1946, attended St.Mary's grade school in Pueblo and graduated from Pueblo South in 1964. He received his bachelor's degree in Education in 1969 from then Southern Colorado State College and subsequently his Masters from the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) in Greeley. He started his teaching career at St. Mary's in Pueblo where he taught for 2 years. Subsequently in 1971 he moved to Greeley where he taught science and math in the Greeley elementary and middle schools until his retirement in the year 2000. John loved teaching, cared deeply about his students and their education, and undoubtedly touched the lives of many of them. After retirement John loved to travel, especially to Ireland and Scotland. He did volunteer teaching and other work at St. Mary's Catholic Church and school in Greeley. He also was a volunteer crossing guard for Greeley school children and worked the clock at UNC basketball games. He loved to read, take early morning walks, always after which he worked the day's newspapers' crossword puzzles. We his family and his friends will miss him deeply. May he rest in peace and know eternal happiness in God's presence. A memorial mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at St. Mary Catholic Church (2222 23rd Avenue) in Greeley with a luncheon to follow. At John's request any donations should be sent to St. Mary's Catholic Church in Greeley. The family requests that cards be sent care of Frank Murgel, 3333 East Bayaud Ave., #401B, Denver CO. 80209.