Across Oceans and Canyons: The Engineering Legacy of Angelo Siccardi
By Nadia Vick
Angelo Siccardi, Horan & McConaty Funeral Service and Cremation. An image of Angelo Siccardi.[1]
Siccardi and his colleagues working with some of the Federal Highway Administration’s early electronic equipment.[12]
Joe in the Johnson bore of the Eisenhower Johnson Tunnels, still-under-construction.[18]
Angelo “Joe” Siccardi
October 30, 1926 - April 21, 2020
Angelo “Joe” Siccardi was born on October 30, 1926, in Paterson, New Jersey, to Anthony and Rose Siccardi. His father, Anthony, was an Italian immigrant, born in Italy according to the 1940 United States Census.[2] From an early age, Angelo displayed a love of learning and a remarkable focus, qualities that would shape a career and life defined by both discipline and quiet service.[3]
At the age of 17, as World War II raged on, Joe joined the United States Navy in 1944 and served as a Quartermaster Third Class Petty Officer (QM3).[4] In this role, he was responsible for steering naval vessels, taking navigational readings and bearings, preparing and correcting navigation charts, and communicating visual signals—critical responsibilities that placed him quite literally at the helm of the US war effort in the Pacific.[5] His service took him through the South Pacific, to the Philippines, and Japan aboard various ships.[6] He was honorably discharged in 1946.
After returning home, Joe’s focus shifted toward engineering. He began his studies at Newark College of Engineering before transferring in 1947 to the University of Colorado Boulder, where he graduated in 1949 with a degree in Civil Engineering.[7] Never one to stop learning, Joe earned a Master’s in Civil Engineering from New York University in 1953, a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Colorado, Denver in 1968, and finally, a Juris Doctor from the University of Denver in 1977.[8] As his son, Dave Siccardi, states, “He loved studying. He would get home from his shift at the Federal Highway Administration, we’d have dinner as a family, and then he’d grab an apple and a pile of schoolbooks and head off to class.”[9] In 1978, he was admitted to practice law in Colorado—a testament to his determination and curiosity.
Joe’s lifelong passion for learning and service left a profound impression on those who knew him best. Education was not just a step in his career but a defining value, one that shaped how he approached every challenge. His daughter, Donna, echoed that spirit, saying, “He was really passionate about schooling and engineering. He just loved learning.”[10] Even in his later years, that curiosity never waned; as Donna remembered, “The independent living facility he was in started offering Spanish lessons. At 93 years old, he signed up. It didn’t matter what it was, he just loved learning.”[11] These reflections reveal a man who paired humility with an insatiable drive to grow, inspiring others to carry forward his example.
In Colorado, Joe met Virginia Benventano, whom he married in 1950. Their partnership spanned 67 years until her passing in 2017.[13] Together, they raised a family grounded in values of hard work and public service.
Though his roots were in New Jersey, Joe’s greatest imprint would come after his service, in Colorado, where his vision and expertise shaped the state’s modern infrastructure. From the Air Force Academy to the Eisenhower Tunnel and Glenwood Canyon, his engineering leadership left a visible legacy that continues to define daily life for Coloradans. As a University of Colorado article states, “You may not know his name, but every Coloradan has seen his work”.[14] These projects were not only technical achievements but also lifelines that connected communities, strengthened Colorado’s economy, and opened its landscapes to generations of travelers. His work stands as a reminder that the discipline and resolve he cultivated in his youth were not limited to wartime service—they became the foundation for innovations that continue to support Colorado today.
Professionally, Joe began his engineering career with the Bureau of Reclamation in Denver, working in the Canals and Drains Division on projects such as the Bonneville Dam.[15] He later transferred to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, contributing to efforts in Newfoundland and Greenland. By the mid-1950s, Joe was assigned to the Air Force Academy Construction Agency, where he helped design water and sewer infrastructure and worked on structural design for landmark buildings such as the Academy's Mess Hall.[16]
Joe’s career took him to the Federal Highway Administration, where he served as Division Engineer in Connecticut and later returned to Denver as Division Administrator. There, he played key roles in major infrastructure projects like the Eisenhower Tunnel, the Glenwood Canyon project, and expansions of the Air Force Academy.[17] From 1988 to 1995, he served as Colorado's State Bridge Engineer, during which time he introduced innovations in bridge design and construction across the state.
He also left a strong mark on the private sector, managing the Denver office of Daniel, Mann, Johnson & Mendenhall for six years and later representing Figg Bridge Engineers throughout the western United States for over two decades.[19]
A committed leader, Joe served as President of the Colorado Jaycees (1959–60) and participated in the Jefferson County Planning Commission, chairing it for two years. He also served on the Jefferson County Cultural Commission.[20] Within his profession, Joe chaired the Prestressed Concrete Committee of the AASHTO Subcommittee on Bridges and Structures for six years.[21]
In 1991, the American Segmental Bridge Institute recognized his leadership with its prestigious Leadership Award, and in 1999, he received the Roderick Downing Award for his contributions to Colorado’s transportation system, an honor made more meaningful by the fact that Roderick “Rod” Downing had once been his professor.[22]
Despite his accolades, Joe was known not for accolades but for his humility, passion for engineering, and genuine investment in others’ success. He maintained lasting relationships with colleagues and friends and always sought opportunities to mentor and uplift.
Angelo “Joe” Siccardi passed away on April 21, 2020, in Denver, Colorado, at the age of 93.[23] He is survived by his children, grandchildren, brother, and many nieces and nephews—each of whom carries forward the legacy of a man who lived with purpose, integrity, and a deep love of learning.
Footnotes ↓
[1] Horan Cares. “Angelo Siccardi Obituary.” Horan & McConaty Funeral Service and Cremation. Published April 21, 2020. Accessed July 26, 2025. https://www.horancares.com/obituaries/angelo-siccardi.
[2] “Angelo Siccardi (1926–2020),” Ancestry.com Connections Stories, accessed August 24, 2025,Family Story Page - Ancestry.com .
[3] Horan Cares, “Angelo Siccardi Obituary.”
[4] Ibid.
[5] U.S. Navy. WWII Petty Officer Ratings. USS Marblehead. Accessed August 1, 2025. https://www.ussmarblehead.com/pdf/WWII__PettyOfficerRatings2.pdf.
[6] Horan Cares, “Angelo Siccardi Obituary.”
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.
[9] “New Civil Engineering Scholarship Commemorates Colorado Highway Engineer,” Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering News, University of Colorado Boulder, May 21, 2021, accessed August 24, 2025, University of Colorado Boulder Engineering & Applied Science, New civil engineering scholarship commemorates Colorado highway engineer | College of Engineering & Applied Science | University of Colorado Boulder
[10] Ibid.
[11] Ibid.
[12] Ibid.
[13] Horan Cares, “Angelo Siccardi Obituary.”
[14] “New Civil Engineering Scholarship,” Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering News.
[15] Horan Cares, “Angelo Siccardi Obituary.”
[16] Ibid.
[17] Ibid.
[18] “New Civil Engineering Scholarship,” Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering News.
[19] Horan Cares, “Angelo Siccardi Obituary.”
[20] Ibid.
[21] Ibid.
[22] Ibid.
[23] Ibid.
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