Mike Labriola, 85, of Great Falls, passed away on March 16, 2024.
A Memorial Service is planned at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center outdoor amphitheater on Friday, May 24th at 4:00 pm; a reception will follow at the Center from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations for a Memorial bench to be placed near the Interpretive Center. Donations accepted via GoFundMe (search “Mike Labriola”) or via this link: https://gofund.me/e39e244f
Mike was born on January 22, 1939, in Washington D.C. to James and Mildred (Davis) Labriola. He married Donna Jean Sailor in February of 1967 at Vandenberg, Air Force Base. Mike graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1962 and later earned master’s degrees in Political Science from San Diego State University and in Public Administration from Auburn University. He graduated from the USAF Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB in 1975 and from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at Fort McNair in Washington D.C. in 1983.
Mike served in active duty in the US Air Force for 24 years, retiring at the rank of Colonel in 1986 while serving as Director of Missile Operations for Strategic Air Command. Shortly after retirement, Mike joined the staff of Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. He was the founder and president of the Lewis and Clark Honor Guard of Great Falls for 3 years as well as the president of the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center Fund for 2 years. He was awarded Montana Tourism Person of the Year Award in 1996 and was honored in May of 2019 for his many years of work in making Great Falls a popular destination along Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery route.
In his free time, Mike was an avid fly fisherman and enjoyed spending time shooting, golfing, and camping as well as studying military history. He loved Montana, and Great Falls especially, and was surrounded by wonderful friends with whom he shared his life and many interests.
Survivors include his daughter, Jamie and her husband, Paul; his sister, Barbara and her husband, Daniel.
To read the complete obituary and share condolences, click here to visit the Croxford Funeral Home website.
