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Obituary for TORRES


Published in the Albuquerque Journal on Saturday October 10, 2009

Santiago "Jimmy" D. Torres, Jr., 82, was called home to our Heavenly Father on Wednesday, October 7, 2009, with his loving family and friends by his side. Mr. Torres was born on October 15, 1926 to Santiago and Gertrude (Gonzales) Torres, Sr. of Chacon, NM. He enlisted into the US Army in 1945 and served as a Military Policeman in the Philippines during World War II. During his military service he proudly earned the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the WWII Victory Medal and the Philippine Independence Medal. Mr. Torres moved to the Albuquerque area in the 1950's and joined the Albuquerque Fire Department in 1957. He retired from AFD in 1985 after 28 years of service. During his AFD career he earned the position of Assistant Fire Chief and was very instrumental in forming the Union for the Fire Department. Upon retirement, Mr. Torres was very active in the Retired Fireman's Association. Mr. Torres was a longtime member of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and gardener, especially of roses. He liked to box and enjoyed supporting the sport of boxing. Above all, he was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend. Mr. Torres was always very helpful and willing to lend a hand to his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Santiago and Gertrude Torres; and siblings, Emily, Camilio, Eufelio, Macario and Susie. He is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Ruby (Vaughan) Torres; children, JoAnn Garcia, David and his wife, Josephine, Torres, James and his wife, Lynnette, Torres, Diane and her husband, Michael "Tony," Lovato, and Raymond and his wife, Susie, Torres, all of Albuquerque, NM; stepchildren, Carolyn and her husband, Earl, Zaplin of Albuquerque, NM, and Ronnie and his wife, Joyce, Vaughan of Santa Fe, NM; 13 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Rupie Perez, of Bakersfield, CA; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends who will mourn his passing. The Viewing and Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 12, 2009 at Daniels Family Funeral Services, 1100 Coal Ave SE. The Rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, October 12, 2009 at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 5415 Fortuna Rd NW. The Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 5415 Fortuna Rd NW with Fr. Joel Garner, celebrant. Pallbearers will be Ross Aranda, Joe Marquez, Noel Baca, Pete Dinelli, Herman Casaus, and Pete Tartaglia. Honorary Pallbearers will be Leonard Ortega and Paul Saiz. Interment will follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. Online condolences can be submitted at www.danielsfuneral.com. Services have been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 1100 Coal Ave SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 505-842-8800


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