OBITUARIES

Robert Charles Kukura

December 4, 1948 - March 10, 2023

Robert Charles Kukura, age 74, has left us too soon arising to the heavens on March 10th, 2023. Rob was born on December 4, 1948, in Galesburg, IL to Charles and Jane Kukura. He is survived by his sisters Ann Waynik (Waterford, VA), and Madeleine Sulley (Las Vegas, NV), uncle to Eric Pettus (Austin, TX), and Victoria Flynn (Waterford, VA), Grand-uncle to Alicia Pettus, and Nathaniel Flynn (Waterford, VA).

• Graduated from Arapahoe High School in 1966; rst graduating class.

• Enlisted in the Army in September 1970; stationed as an X-Ray Technician at Texas, Georgia, and Maryland.

• Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in 1989 from Metro College; with a concentration in computer science.

• Taught math and computer science at Auraria Campus and Metro College.

• Career in software engineering for 30 years.

Robert was a 3rd generation long-time ham radio operator, astronomy enthusiast, and genealogist partner to his mother and aunt. Robert’s hobbies included gol ng, bowling, ancient Roman, Greek and Chinese history, gardening, photography, and being a member of the Audubon and Sierra club.

Robert will be interned at Fort Logan National Cemetery on 6 April at 11am. In lieu of owers, please make a donation to American Cancer Society; focus on myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

Joseph John Peirce 1943-2023

Joseph John Peirce - beloved grandfather, father, brother, uncle, son and friend, -died March 2023 in Florida. He was 79 years old and retired.

Joe leaves behind his loving children, Heidi Peirce Gri th, Joe Peirce Jr. and grandchildren Peirce, Garrison, Houston, Hunter and Caleigh. Also survived by his siblings, George (deceased), Jerry, Ginny and Patricia and former wife Becky Edwards McDowell. Private family ceremonies planned for summer.

In honor of Joe Peirce the family would love for you to donate to any cause or charity of your choice. We will be donating to the American Heart Association.

On Wednesday March 15, 2023, Roxanne “Gaga” Bisetti; loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away at the age of 74. Roxanne is survived and missed by her loving husband Jim Bisetti of 46 years; and children Jami and Janna (Ben). Forever cherished and remembered by her grandchildren; Rachel, Colin, Jack, and Charlotte. In the last few years Roxanne became a dog owner to Maddie, who could always put a smile on her face.

Roxanne was born on December 14, 1948 in Denver, Colorado to Roxie and Irene (Andrews) Canino. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History and French from the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado. Roxanne also spent a semester studying at the Sorbonne in Paris, France.

Roxanne met Jim while he was working in Denver at Disney Movie studios with her mother Irene. ey married on October 1, 1977 in Denver. After living in Denver for a short time they moved to California. As a Colorado native Roxanne and Jim moved back to Denver 9 months after the birth of their rst daughter, Jami, and two and a half years later, Janna, their second daughter was born.

Roxanne loved working in middle schools as she spent over 25 years teaching French and most recently as the registrar at Goddard Middle School in Littleton, Colorado.

Twelve years ago she retired and started her career as a full time “Gaga”. Over the last twelve years she has cherished the many memories attending soccer, hockey, lacrosse, gymnastic, swim lessons, concerts, reading books, and playing games.

Family and friends are welcome to attend a celebration of life for Roxanne, which will be held on Friday March 24th, 2023 at 10:00am at Horan & McConaty located at 5303 East County Line Road in Centennial, Colorado. In lieu of owers memorial donations can be made to Ray of Hope Cancer Foundationin honor of Roxanne Bisetti https://secure. givelively.org/donate/ray-of-hope-cancerfoundation/rocky-mountain-cancer-center

Area massage therapists laud the benefits of the practice on their clients’ ailments, stress

BY DEB HURLEY BROBST DBROBST@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Caring, compassionate hands — and sometimes feet — are used by massage therapists to help improve the lives of their clients. Massage is an ancient practice, and there are more than two dozen types throughout the world, therapists say.

Four massage therapists interviewed by Colorado Community Media say massage has become more accepted by the public, and more scienti c research is being done to document the health bene ts.

Massage can help with pain and injuries; decrease muscular tension; reduce blood pressure, swelling and in ammation; release endorphins; and much more, according to massage therapists.

“Even people who don’t have speci c problems can bene t from massage,” Destine Robertson with Alpine Medical Massage in Centennial and Conifer said. “Everybody has so much stress, and massage can help relieve that.”

People’s perceptions of massage have come a long way, the therapists said.

“A lot of people think of massage as pampering and relaxing,” Ti any Shocklee with Hearth re erapeutics in Golden said, “but it can help people who have many other issues, too.”

A blend of massage styles

Massage therapy is not an easy profession, requiring hours of training, a certi cation exam and licensing in Colorado.

“It’s become a more regulated eld,” said Mary Davis with Healing Traditions Bodywork in Evergreen, “which I think is best. I think it’s needed and necessary to protect people when they are potentially vulnerable going in for a personal treatment like massage.”

But education doesn’t stop at the 600 hours of initial training for most therapists. ey continue to learn di erent techniques to add to their repertoire.

“ e single most popular, most widely done type of massage in the

U.S. and maybe in the world is Swedish massage,” Davis said. “ at is part of your basic training. It is a bit lighter, more relaxing, with long strokes. en what I do and what a lot of therapists do is integrative massage. We have received additional training in areas that have spoken to us.”

Davis said most of the time she’s integrating di erent styles and techniques in one massage.

“I have a toolbox, and I pull different things out based on what I’m feeling that day in their tissues and what they need,” she explained.

Jenna Courage of Littleton erapeutic Massage Center said she has blended together many styles to create her own technique.

“I make each session specialized for each client,” Courage explained. “Some techniques I use on one client but not another. I feel like I am learning from my clients. ey come in with something new, and I gure out how to work with it, then take that knowledge and use it on someone with a similar issue.”

A satisfying career

Some massage therapists like Shocklee chose the practice as their rst career, while others nd massage therapy along their career paths. Davis and Shocklee have been massage therapists for 19 years, while Robertson has spent 22 years in the profession and Courage 31 years.

“Massage is important for me,” Shocklee said. “It’s what I’m meant to do. It helps me stay connected to myself. For me to go to work feels very focusing and a relief from other parts of my day that may be chaotic. It’s doing something that is single-minded by working with one person.”

Courage was working on a premedicine degree when she realized she had a strong interest in alternative health care. She visited a massage school and signed up the

Ti any Shocklee with Hearthfire Therapeutics in Golden massages a client’s shoulder. Shocklee also o ers ashiatsu massage during which she uses her feet. COURTESY PHOTOS