Raymond Torres' Obituary
Raymond Torres
September 14, 1957 – May 14, 2023
Passed peacefully into the arms of God was a good man who fought a long battle with several health issues, but continually maintained a positive attitude and would always give a smile.
Family first was one of his mantras. No matter what, family support was a key factor in his life and while other things may change us throughout the course of our lives, we start and end with family.
Sports fan extraordinaire – nearly every statistic from every sport was a favorite topic. Die-hard Tampa Bay Buccaneer and Tampa Bay Rays fan! Even after moving to Texas and having an up & coming Texans football team along with World Champions Astros, there is nothing like this season for the Rays! However, when it came to basketball, Raymond’s passion for the game often had the point guard come out. The New York Knicks did not get a chance to draft their best player but if they were on tv, you know where he was! Although they did not beat the Heat in the playoffs this year, he was routing them on every step of the way.
Raymond enjoyed cooking especially after retirement – loved his grills & smokers for BBQ pulled pork, ribs, steaks & chicken wings; Nick Stellino was his hero with red pepper flakes and Italian cuisine but making his own sauce became a work of art; Cajun chicken & sausage gumbo (no okra) along with New Orleans flair have a special place – nothing like the hours needed to chop everything perfectly and to make dark roux.
Kash & Karry molded his work ethic, Keebler made him an elf, KForce owes a debt of gratitude for getting leased computers back, Walmart didn’t know what to do when he turned things around, so Tropicana brought him closer to home, Gulf Tile operated with accuracy until a downsizing opened an opportunity for Sacino to hire the sharp dressed man who helped make prom season successful but it was M&W Logistics recognizing the rare talent needed to run the entire show and gave him the authority & autonomy to do so.
Survived by his wife Kelly, brother Paul and sister-in-law Marie Torres, sister Grace Torres and brother-in-law Rick Wyatt, father-in-law Ken Fleetwood, brother-in-law KJ Fleetwood, nieces and nephews Anissa & Ryan Westfall, Paulette Torres & Philip Chase, Paul & Ana Torres, grandnieces and grandnephews Alondra Chase, Bella Torres, Santiago Torres, Samuel Westfall, along with close friends & brothers from other mothers Angelo Rosello, Danny Lord, Greg Johnson, Barry Brannan, ET Winzer & Brian Grantham.
His passion was listening to and teaching others about music. So, a final thought for all to remember Raymond “Music captures your soul and holds it hostage, please keep listening”. He touched many lives and helped countless people during his life. We ask that in his honor, think about him often when you listen to music, raise a toast, remember the fun, say a prayer, and give thanks for having known him in your life.
Thank you to the doctors and staff at Advent Health Cardiology, Florida Medical Clinic, Florida Cancer Specialists and MD Anderson, who have become a 2nd family to us for you helped him to live way beyond what the “profile” dictated. You saw the man and grew to know who he was, what he could do and his incredible will to live, thus enabling him through your expertise & care to finish God’s work for him on Earth. We are so grateful to you that he will forever be like a beautiful classic car in Havana (Looking great on the outside, but just don’t peek under the hood!)
So what a difference a good man can make; Our world won’t be the same without him, but the next one has gained one heck of a soul.
Memorial donations can be made to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, and your local animal shelter.
Interment at Memorial Park, 5750 49th Street North, St Petersburg, Florida, Saturday, June 10, 2023
Celebration of Life at La Vid Vinoteca, 14610 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FLorida, Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 2:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM CT
God saw you getting tired, And a cure was not to be
So he put His arms around you, And whispered "Come to me."
With tearful eyes we watched you, As you slowly slipped away
And though we loved you dearly, We couldn't make you stay.
Your golden heart stopped beating, Your tired hands put to rest
God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.
What’s your fondest memory of Raymond?
What’s a lesson you learned from Raymond?
Share a story where Raymond's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Raymond you’ll never forget.
How did Raymond make you smile?