John Michael Tarabino age 85, died on Friday May 20, 2022, in Trinidad Colorado.
John is preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Mary Jo Tarabino. He is survived by his brother Joseph Tarabino, of the home address. He grew up on the family farm in El Moro and graduated from Holy Trinity. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Regis College and a Master of Arts from the University of Northern Colorado.
After graduation John and Joe maintained the family businesses, including management of the Tarabino and Foghino farms as well as operating the Tarabino Real Estate Company Together with their uncle Barney Tarabino, t h ey transitioned from an onion crop farm to a registered livestock breeding ranch known as the 2T Hereford Ranch and later merged with the Verquer cattle operations to form the TV Hereford Ranch. John enjoyed the hard work of loading lots of hay bales, moving cows and setting irrigation water in the early mornings and late evenings while employed at the college. He was actively involved as a member and shareholder with the Baca Ditch Company, The Picketwire Ditch Company and the El Moro-Hoehne Pipeline Association. In 1997, John and Joe received t h e Centennial Farms certificate recognizing families who have owned and operated their farm or ranch for 100 years or more The award was presented by the Trinidad Historical Society and Friends of Historical Trinidad for both the Tarabino and Foghino farms.
John began employment at Trinidad State Junior College in 1967 as its Business Manager. He was promoted t o Vice-President of Administrative Services and remained in that position until his retirement in 1999 He supervised the college’s fiscal operations, including budgeting, business services and all financial aspects of the institution. He was also responsible for operation of the physical plant, computing services, construction and development projects, as well as providing oversight of endowments and operations of the college’s foundation The highlight of his career at Trinidad State occurred in 1994 when he was selected by a national group of his peers representing the National Council of Community College Business Officials (NCCBO) as its National Outstanding Business Officer. In 2011 he was inducted
In 2011 he was inducted into the Trinidad State College Foundation Hall of Fame.
John was very active in community affairs, having helped establish the Highway of Legends supported activities at the A R . Mitchell Memorial Museum. He belonged to several boards and organizations including Trinidad-Las Animas County Economic Development serving as its President Rotary Club, Trinidad Downtown Area Development, Inc., Trinidad Historical Society, and the Santa Fe Trail Association
John was appointed to several committees established by Colorado governors including the Advising Committee to the Colorado Division of Commerce and Development, and the Southeastern Colorado Rural Development Task Force.
He was a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, National Association of College and University Business officer and Senior Business Officers’ Forum. In 1993 he was the winner
In 1993 he was the winner of the annual J. Edgar Chenoweth Award sponsored by the Trinidad – Las Animas County Chamber of Commerce
Besides his participation in many local organizations John will be remembered for his calm demeanor, attention to detail, and kindness he showed to everyone he met
Pall bearers are Richard Compton, David Barrack Carlos Chacon, Daryl Aubuchon, Joey DeGarbo and Jeff Mangino.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00PM on Tuesday May 31, 2022, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Burial will take place in the Trinidad Catholic Cemetery. The family has entrusted the arrangements with Mullare-Murphy Funeral Home.
