Lloyd Edward Hilaiel, 79, died without warning at home on August 5th, 2026 in Denver Colorado. Lloyd was born in Santa Monica, California on July 27th, 1947, and was the second of three generations of Lloyds to graduate from Santa Monica High School. He was an athletic and affable football player and student who went on to attend college at Cal State Fresno University. Raised by his strong, smart, funny, and resourceful mother, Emily, and his hard-working police officer and accomplished violinist father, Lloyd Sr - Lloyd embodied all of these qualities. He loved being a younger brother to his sister Yvonne and brother Michael, and expressed the values of love, faith, family, integrity, humor, resilience, and persistence. He briefly explored bachelor life, working as a fire fighter and in real estate development and sales, until he met Michelle (Hall) Hilaiel, and from that moment on they did life together.

Lloyd and Michelle built several businesses together, from Hilaiel Realty to Forest Financial to Genealogy & More, while raising their children Lainie (Hilaiel) Yarris and Lloyd (Trevor) Hilaiel. Lloyd loved family, and he had an unlimited supply of love to extend to those who he considered family, by blood or by choice. Early on, he loved ski trips and visits with his niece and nephew Patti Hilaiel-Miller and Jon Hilaiel. Later, some of his happiest times were gathering with his parents, children, and all of his nieces and nephews, including Michael James, Jimmy, Anthony, Brandy, and Amber. He had a close and loving extended family of cousins, aunts, and uncles, and was the kind of guy people wanted to come up and hug. He enjoyed many joyful family trips skiing, camping at Carlsbad, and visiting Hawaii. He was an amazing Grandpa to Jake, Ella, Sophie, Gabe, and Lloyd (George) the 4th, and his grandkids remember him always smiling, calling them to the table for “eggies, toast, and cheese”, gently guiding them around his home with blue sticky notes, and teaching them how to do things right, whether that be fixing the sink disposal, feeding the dogs, or driving.

Holidays with Lloyd started with him up early in the kitchen, folding Fatayer or rolling grape leaves, and ended with laughter, stories, and chocolate cake. He believed in treating others the way he would want to be treated and was kind and humble. However, his kids believed he could do anything, and he would always go out of his way to prove them right.

Lloyd lived a full, courageous, and beautiful life. He lost his brother, sister, and parents but cared for everyone else in his life while riding those waves of grief. He was a rock for all during turbulent times. He died at home after a typical quiet night with Michelle and their dogs, shortly after celebrating his 79th birthday. Both of his children and all five of his grandchildren got to hug him in the days before his death.

In lieu of flowers, please share a meal full of laughter with those whom you love, be unreasonably kind, or make a donation to a cause that holds deep meaning for you.