Miguel Torres

In Memory Of

Miguel Torres

September 29, 1927 — August 28, 2018

Rosary

Thursday, September 6, 2018 at 9:00 a.m.

The Shrine of St. Therese

1410 N. Wishon, Fresno, California

Funeral Mass

Thursday, September 6, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.

The Shrine of St. Therese

1410 N. Wishon, Fresno, California

Cemetery

Clovis Cemetery District

305 N. Villa, Clovis, California

Relatives

Wife:  Maria Clara Torres (deceased)

Son:  John Torres

Daughter:  Rachel Torres-Cobarrubias

Son:  Alfonso Javier Torres

Son:  Lorenzo Arnoldo Torres

Son:  Ernest ''Ernie'' Adrian Torres

Son:  Arthur Gabriel Torres

Son:  Armando Hector Torres (deceased)

Granddaughter:  Lissa Martinez-Cobarrubias

Grandson:  Eric Alexander Escobar (deceased)

Granddaughter:  Stephanie Patricia Torres

Grandson:  Daniel Gabriel Torres

Grandson:  Michael Anthony Torres (deceased)

Great Grandson:  Anthony Jeffrey Hill

Great Granddaughter:  Amanda Gabriela Solis

Great Granddaughter:  Alexandra Elidia Solis

Great Grandson:  Jerry Kobbie Martinez

Great Great Grandchildren:  Five

Sister:  Maria Torres

God our Father,

Your power brings us to birth,

Your providence guides our lives,

And by Your command

We return to dust.

I pray for the dead,

Especially for

Miguel.

May those

Who have been dear to me in life

Find a place with You in heaven.

Lord, those who die

Still live in Your presence;

Their lives change but do not end.

I pray in hope

For my family, relatives and friends,

And for all the dead

Known to You alone.

In company with Christ

Who died and now lives

May they rejoice in Your kingdom

Where all our tears are wiped away.

Unite us together again as one family,

To sing Your praise forever and ever.

“May God touch you

with His healing hand

and give you the peace and comfort

you need to get through.”

Anon.

Obituary

Miguel Torres of Fresno California, 90 years of age, has passed away and gone to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  He passed Tuesday, August 28, 2018, early morning, surrounded by his children and family. He was being treated in the trauma center at the Community Medical Regional Center for a pedestrian to automobile accident occurring August 1, 2018 near his home. 

Miguel, Mike,Torres was born September 29, 1927 to José Torres and Maria de Jesus de la Peña of Laredo, Texas.  He was one of eight children growing up during the Great Depression.  He was a very enthusiastic boy and went to work at an early age, selling fruit and shining shoes.  He often spoke of a favorite encounter he had as a boy.  He had polished Al Capone’s shoes and received a shiny silver dollar.  Impressed by Mike’s work, a local barber hired him to work in the shop, and helped him (at the age of nine), to receive his social security card.  He has worked ever since, contributing to his family, his children, and his country. 

Though under-aged, Mike joined the Marines and served two tours in Asia, first as a cook, and later as an engineer.  His travels took him to exotic lands, including the busy rickshaw-crowded streets of Beiping China, known today as Beijing. In a small box, Mike kept snapshots that chronicled his daily life as a Marine, pictures of lands covered in shrines and temples.  He was fascinated with the cultures and the native peoples of China, the Philippines, Manila, Guam, and Japan.  He served his country, and fought the good fight, in war torn countries with many hardships—but always with diligence, a proud heart, and a positive outlook.  His motto was, “If you are going to do a job, do it right”, and he did, garnering many medals of honor and valor.  Once a Marine always a Marine.

In 1950 Mike married his sweetheart Maria Clara Cortéz, also of Laredo. She was stunning, and she naturally caught his eye. He asked if she wanted a kiss … and then offered her a chocolate Hershey’s kiss.  She accepted, and the affair and marriage lasted for 61 years.  Mike and Lita (as he called her), had seven children;  John Torres, Raquel, (Rachel) Torres - Cobarrubias, Alfonso Torres, (Punci-Fonsi), Arnoldo Torres, Ernesto Torres, (Ernie), Arturo Torres, (Tudy) and Armando Torres, (Mandy).

Mike was a pipefitter with the Local Union 246 in Fresno, California.  He was a master welder who worked with volatile gases, welding rods, and metals.  It was an art to him. His knowledge and trade has been lost to technical advances but his contributions will never be outdated or reproduced. He truly built things to stand the test of time. Mike worked on many projects over the years, but one of his favorites was the missile site protecting NORAD in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  With fondness, he spoke of the vast scale of the Nuclear Weapons production plant, where he was required to wear protective clothing, dressed in white garments and head covering to maintain a completely sterile environment.  Mike recalled his astonishment upon learning that every screw, every bolt, and every tool must be accounted for upon entering and especially upon leaving the work site.

Mike also taught for many years at the local union, where he passed his skills on to new trade apprentices.

Mike was always in service.  He and his wife, Maria, were integral in the founding of Poverello House, where they worked alongside founder Mike McGarvin, preparing and serving countless meals to the homeless. 

Mike and Maria, upon reaching retirement age, saw an opportunity to provide much-needed support, and opened a State Licensed Adult Residential Facility serving the needs of the mentally disabled,  and those residents in the Spanish speaking community in particular.  The home opened in the fall of 1987 and closed December 2015.  They were proud to serve their community, and were granted accolades for their work.  Villa Lorenzo became the number one facility for the placement of Spanish speaking residents with disabilities at the time.

Mike also served his church, Mt. Carmel and St. John’s Cathedral.  He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Mike Torres is preceded by his wife Maria Clara Torres, his son Armando Hector Torres, grandchild Eric Alexander Escobar and Michael Anthony Torres, his mother Maria de Jesus de La Peña, his father José Torres, Sisters Adela Torres, Clotilde Torres, Lupe Torres, Pepe (José) Torres, Raúl Torres, and Jesus Torres. 

He leaves behind two remaining siblings; his dear sister Maria Anjélina Torres of Katy, Texas and a brother, David Torres, his only daughter, Rachel Torres-Cobarrubias, and his sons John Torres, Alfonso Torres, Lorenzo Torres, Ernie Torres, Arthur Torres and his wife Yolanda Torres.

Grandchildren Lissa Theresa Martínez-Cobarrubias, Stephanie P. Torres, and Daniel G. Torres.

Great grandchildren, Anthony Jeffery Hill, Amanda Solis, Alexandra Solis, and Jerry Kobbie Martínez.

Great-great grandchildren, Angel Muñoz, Julian Muñoz, Deborah Elizabeth (Lizzy) Réal-Muñoz, Daniel Simon Jr., and Daniella Gabriella Muñoz.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Miguel Torres, please visit our floral store.