Michael D. Ciletti, age 81, passed away on July 21, 2023, after an intense battle with cancer. Born to Leonard and Carmella Ciletti, he was a resident of Colorado Springs for 49 years. He was an avid photographer (mdcilettiphotography.com), loved the mountains, climbed over 25 fourteeners, and in addition he walked the Camino de Santiago. Mike first came to Colorado Springs in 1968, to serve in his ROTC commission doing research at the USAFA. After living briefly in California, he returned to Colorado in 1974, where he began his teaching career at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
A “triple domer” (BS, MS, and PhD) graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Mike was a retired professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. He wrote several renowned textbooks used by universities worldwide. Beloved by his students, family, and friends, Mike was a man of the people, humble, and very pastoral in his role as a deacon in the Catholic Church. Mike loved Jesus, Notre Dame, nature, traveling, and music. He was a great man, a good friend, and will be sorely missed.
He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 59 years, Jerilynn; and 5 children: Monica (Michael) McCormick, Lucy (Peter) Van Dusen, Rebecca (Shanti Taylor) Ciletti, Christine (David) Steigerwald, and Michael (Michelle) Ciletti. His surviving grandchildren, known as the “Cousin Dozen,” include: Michael (Nicole Harder), Kate (Luke Kirrane), Brigid, and David (Breanna) McCormick; Matthew and Ella Van Dusen; Jackson, Samantha, and Peter Steigerwald; Anthony, Abigail, and Joseph Ciletti. He is also survived by his brother, James (Mary) Ciletti; and sister, Barbara (Rick) Schreiber; sister-in-law, Lolita Ciletti; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents: Leonard and Carmella; and older brother, Leonard Ciletti.
A rosary will be held on August 18, 2023, at 3:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Parish, 2030 W. Colorado Avenue, CO 80904, followed by a funeral mass at 4:00 p.m. Reception to follow. Interment will be at the Columbarium at Mount St. Francis in a private ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Southwest Indian Foundation (PO Box 86, Gallup, NM 87302-0001) or the St Anthony Indian Mission (PO Box 486, Zuni, NM 87327-0486).
Jim Burkhart, Prof. Emeritus
31 Jul 2023Jerilynn, it was a shock to read of Mike’s passing in the paper yesterday. As I said before, Mike had a passion for his department (as Chair) and for his College (as Dean), both of which made tremendous strides under his tutelage. Very few people have that kind of impact on thousands of students. He will be sorely missed.
Al and Kathy Rosa
31 Jul 2023Al Rosa, Prof. Emeritus
Mike and I are the same age. We are both of Italian heritage, ROTC grads, and Professors of Electrical Engineering (PhD.) We were both Chairs of our respective departments. We both arrived in Colorado Springs in 1974. I at USAF Academy, Mike at UCCS. We both wrote textbooks that were/are used worldwide and shared notes. We both attended Mt Saint Francis Parish where Mike was a superb deacon relating his homilies to everyday life. Our families were friends for a long time. We shared meals in each other’s homes as part of our parish dinner for eight. Mike was a religious, brilliant, yet very humble man. We will miss him greatly.
Edward Strack
1 Aug 2023Holly and I are so sorry for the loss of Mike to the Celetti family. We have known Mike for over 5 decades and many of his family as well. When I think of Mike I think of a wise Renaissance man, who had the great fortune of being loved by his family and ferocious in his love and pride in all of them. Smart, talented, perceptive (the list of his superlative qualities is long) a true Notre Dame man, but most importantly, a man who loved and was rewarded in life by love from his family. To Mike’s family, Holly and I will personally miss and remember Mike for as long as we live. Such a decent, great man. Rest in Peace Mike.
Gloria (Lawlis) Stogner
19 Sep 2023Jerilynn, I can’t believe that Mike is gone. Mike was a good man to work for – he was a Christian man. I was googling Mike, because I wanted to tell him that our children are now in their fifties, and I saw his obituary. I believe that our loved ones are always with us, and I believe he is now watching over you and your family,
Shannon Bradbury
25 Sep 2023Mike you were such a gift to me and my siblings when we were young and it didn’t end in our youth. The impact of your kindness and love we received from you lasted a lifetime. I can look back on my childhood and know who my favorite person was. It was Mike. The great “ spooky” story teller at the campfire, the guy that gave me my favorite nickname “green worm” and the man that brought laughter and joy to our lives.
John Herrington
29 Oct 2024I am deeply saddened to learn of Dr. Ciletti’s passing. I was once a student of his at UCCS and took courses from him while I pursued my degree. He would walk by me as I played hacky sack out in front of the student center and would give me a sly smile and ask me if I was going to follow him to class. He was the consummate professor. Incredibly intelligent, thoughtful, and kind to his students. He was able to convey the subject matter in a way that made it easy to understand and he tested us accordingly. I am in the process of writing a memoir and was going to contact Dr. Ciletti, but to my dismay I learned of his passing. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. It was my honor to have had him for a professor.