Nonno

Nonno, Donald Ghella

Look closer for the title, nine family names, and two logos:
Nonno
Daughters – Jennifer, Melissa, and Holly
Granddaughters – Kennedy, Taylor, Macie, and Kendyl
Grandsons – Bauer and Madden 
the Cherry Hills Country Club logo
and the Carlo Rossi Paisano logo

Donald Frank Ghella, known for his enormous heart and even kinder spirit, passed away on August 4, 2024, at the age of 74.
Don was born in Cortez, Colorado January 9, 1950, to Frank Joseph Ghella and Lois Marie Smart. Don is survived by his wife, Donise Calvin Ghella, his daughters, Jennifer Evertsen and her husband Jonathan, Melissa Bray and her husband Tony, Holly Miller and her husband Eric, Caton O’Brien and her husband Matt, Hillary Ulrich and her husband Tom, his son Jegos Ghella and daughter Justice Ghella as well as his 12 grandchildren; Kennedy, Bauer and Madden Bray (Melissa and Tony), Taylor, Macie and Kendyl Miller (Holly and Eric), Sam, Emily and Zoe O’Brien (Caton and Matt), and Ben, Nora, and Elizabeth Ulrich (Hillary and Tom). Don is also survived by his sister Sharon Skilling and her family.
Growing up in Southern Colorado and later in Littleton, Colorado, Don graduated from Littleton High School and was well known for being a triple threat on the football field, the baseball diamond and the basketball court. Don was recruited by several major universities but ultimately decided to remain in Colorado and went on to graduate from the University of Colorado with a degree in Sociology.
Don spent his career in the irrigation industry, first selling and then developing technology used all over the world to run some of the largest central control systems in the world. Don enjoyed the work he did, but he most enjoyed the people he met and the friendships he developed that lasted the duration of his lifetime.
Cherry Hills was another place where Don formed lifelong friendships and enjoyed spending time with his friends and oldest daughters over the years. Don enjoyed watching his girls compete on the swim team, play tennis and competing with both Melissa and Holly in the Cherry Hills Father/Daughter Golf Tournaments. On the weekends, Don enjoyed playing golf with his many friends, having lunch in the clubhouse or an evening drive around the course to watch the sunset with his girls. One of Don’s greatest joys was hosting the wedding receptions for Jennifer, Melissa and Holly at Cherry Hills and the girls will always cherish the memory of their daddy/daughter dances in the ballroom with their Dad.
In retirement, and living in Arizona, Don enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, watching them play sports, and taking them on special dates. Don also enjoyed continuing to consult for a few of his favorite clients, as he could never be too far away from his “favorite workeries.”
Don will be most remembered by everyone that knew him as a man that lived the example of what a gentle spirit and kind soul truly is. Don was always the first to think of others, always put everyone else’s needs before his own, worked tirelessly to ensure his family had he life he had always dreamed of, showed unwavering loyalty to his friends, and considered everyone he met a part of his family. Don never knew a stranger, as people were drawn to his gentle kindness, his teddy bear hugs and sense of humor. Wherever Don was, it was sure that he would be the life of the party and would guarantee that everyone had the time of their lives – Don absolutely loved a good time and a few glasses of paesano!
Don will be missed dearly by his family, friends and anyone that ever had the joy of spending time with him.

-Credit: Cherry Hills Country Club

When I was eight years old, my dad was killed in a farming accident, so memorial illustrations are always difficult. Remembering loss never gets easier. But it gets better. Here’s why.
The love received from and affection expressed for the person lost, increases and multiplies as time passes.
This was especially true talking about “Nonno” with Dutch. Though Dutch was Nonno’s son-in-law, I had a great sense of what a life of character, generosity and affection Mr. Ghella had led. . . 
When I think about my dad’s passing two weeks before my ninth birthday, though it’s been fifty eight years, it never gets easier, but it gets better. The pain gets deeper but so does the love. What gets better, is realizing the love because of what so many people have kept saying, repeatedly, for fifty-eight years now. 
I didn’t have the chance to say goodbye to my dad. That hurt. But in a sense, when anyone talks about him, or if I just remember some small thing about him, it helps. Really, it’s my dad saying directly to me how much he loves me, over and over again.

-Tobin Bortner

The artwork:
The original was illustrated for Jennifer Evertsen’s birthday. Six prints on acid-free paper will be signed and dated. One will be kept by the artist. The five remaining prints will be available to family members.
Artist: Tobin Bortner of Bastrop, Texas – drawing done in September of 2025 – ©Tobin Signs/Look Closer Illustrations
Illustrated using graphite and the following Prisma colored pencils: Tuscan Red because it’s in Italy; Green Ochre and Yellow Ochre for a more subdued Hawaiian Shirt composition; Light Umber that losing this loved one may be light somber; Slate Grey and Lime Peel for balance.
Derivative Work: Photos used by permission.

Prints are not for sale.