It is with a heavy heart that we tell you of the death of our founder and patriarch, Joe Margotte. Joe started out on the west side of Chicago, in the 28th Ward, and originally came out to Colorado in the mid-60s, traveling back and forth to from here to Chicago for years. In the late 70s he co-founded Joey’s on West Colfax. In 1979 he returned to Chicago, where he stayed until 1995, when he talked his wife, Luanne, into retiring and moving with him to Colorado. Summer of 1997 he started looking around for a place to put a “beef joint,” and found it at 8590 West Colfax. Chicago opened March 4, 1998 and he never looked back. September, 2002 Chicago moved to its current location at 6680 West Colfax. In 2015 Chicago was inducted into the Vienna Beef Hot Dog Hall of Fame, thanks to Joe. We also, that same year, got Business of the Year from 40 West Arts District. Joe was a member of the West Metro Fire Board from 2009-2014 and was the oldest board member to complete their training program. He has been a member of Lakewood Elks Lodge 1777 for over 15 years and has been on the board for most of those years. He was involved with the City of Lakewood, going to council meetings for years, and participated in the West Colfax Community Association, and was on the board of the Green Mountain Community Association. He earned the West Colfax LEGEND award in 2016 and was one of the founding members of 40 West Arts District. Joe was born May 11, 1931 at Franklin Blvd hospital in Chicago and died at home November 22, 2019 in Lakewood. He leaves behind the love of his life, Luanne, four children, 14 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, a sister, stepsister, stepbrother, nephews, nieces and cousins. He was preceded in death by his daughter Rose (2013) and son Tony (1981). A viewing and funeral mass will be at Christ on the Mountain Catholic Church, 13922 West Utah Ave, Lakewood, on Tuesday, November 26, with the viewing at 10, mass at 10:30. A reception will follow at Lakewood Elks Lodge 1777, 1455 Newland St (behind Chicago) Arrivederci, Joe… ## Thank you all for being a part of our lives. Please share this with anyone we may have forgotten… Joe Margotte, 88, passed away November 22, 2019. He is survived by his loving wife Luanne, 2 daughters, 2 sons, 12 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter Rose (2013) and son Tony (1981). Services will be held on Tuesday, November 26th, viewing at 10:00am, mass at 10:30am at Christ on the Mountain Church, 13922 W. Utah, Lakewood. Reception to follow at the Lakewood Elks Lodge #1777 at 1455 Newland St, Lakewood at 12:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Action Center, 8755 W. 14th Street, Lakewood or Denver Writes at Denverwrites.org. For further details, see Aspenmortuaries.com.