Henry Carl Musso

Henry “Carl” Musso, 84, of Pueblo, Colo., passed away Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at home. He was born July 1, 1941, in Pueblo, Colo., to Hank and Rachel (Cordo) Musso. Carl was a lifelong son of the soil, raised on the family farm with dirt under his nails and determination in his heart. At the end of his junior year at Pueblo County High School in 1958, he took it upon himself to save the family farm, selling produce door-to-door through neighborhoods like Bessemer, Salt Creek, and Goat Hill. When his father passed in 1961, Carl took over the farm entirely and spent the rest of his life growing it into what Musso Farms is today; a beloved southern Colorado institution known for its fresh Pueblo green chiles, famous “Peaches and cream” sweet corn, roasted peppers, pumpkins, and seasonal produce. Carl married Barbara Lee Parise on Nov. 2, 1961, at Christ the King Church in Pueblo. Together they built not only a farm, but a family legacy. In 1990, Carl opened Musso’s Restaurant across from his alma mater, Pueblo County High School, while also working for years at Abex manufacturing railroad products. He never technically retired; the farm and his family kept him going to the end. Even when hail wiped out all produce in the fields for three consecutive years, Carl kept working. That resilience earned him recognition from the Pueblo County Board of Commissioners, which designated July 20, 2021, as Henry “Carl” Musso Day. “Carl is proof the American dream is real, and anything can be achieved through hard work, dedication, and a supportive family,” the proclamation read. “Carl has fed people from all over the United States and many parts of the world.” He was a Pueblo pillar in every sense, a man who fed his community, showed up for his neighbors, and built something lasting from the ground up. In 2024, he was inducted to the Pueblo County High School Alumni Hall of Fame; he never really understood why, because in his mind he was just doing his work and supporting his family. Carl was preceded in death by his parents, Hank and Rachel (Cordo) Musso; his wife, Barbara Lee (Parise) Musso; his brother-in-law, Robert “Bob” Richey; and his cousins, Sam Cordo and Joe “Tarv” Taravella. He is survived by his children, Carl “Carlie” (Ali) Musso and Lisa (Rocky) Musso-Marino; his grandchildren, Rocco (Rachel) Musso, Karlie Rae (Eric) Eslinger, Jordin (Nick) Nardini, Joseph Musso and Vito Marino; his great-grandchildren, Jaxon Eslinger, Gregori Rome Nardini, Landyn Musso, Avery Musso, Addison Musso, Nico Nardini, Kinslie Eslinger, Calogero Musso and Cosimo Nardini; his sister, Sylvia Richey; his nieces and nephews, Karen and Mark Garcia, Tony and Donna Richey and Annette Sue Richey; and numerous cousins, great-nieces and nephews, and treasured friends. A Rosary will be held Thursday, May 21, at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, Pueblo. Procession and interment to follow at Roselawn Cemetery. Visitation is private. The family extends special thanks to Roselawn, St. Joseph Church, first responders, and all who offered the generous gifts of food, flowers, and comforting thoughts and prayers. Carl would always say, “Don’t worry about me, go take care of business.” His family asks that all who read this honor him by taking care of your work, your family, and one another.

Henry Carl Musso

July 1, 1941 - May 13, 2026