Bruce N. Torell

TORELL, Bruce N. Bruce N. Torell, 85, formerly of West Hartford, passed away on Sunday, (January 15, 2006) in Naples, FL. Bruce was born and raised in Winnipeg, Canada and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Mechanical Engineering degree. He participated in the secret development of the earliest jet engines for the Canadian government during World War II. He then moved to Wethersfield, (and later West Hartford) to take a position with Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, where he worked for 33 years. During his time at Pratt & Whitney he played a major role in the development of many successful engines used in commercial airliners and military aircraft, as well as the world's first commercial liquid hydrogen rocket engine, which is still in use today. He also headed initial development work on Pratt and Whitney's fuel cell which was used to provide electrical power on the Apollo spacecraft. In 1968 Bruce became Executive Vice-President of Pratt & Whitney, rising to President in 1971. In 1973 he was elected a Vice-President of Pratt's parent, United Technologies Corporation. At that time he also received the University of Minnesota's Outstanding Achievement Award, the highest given by the University. Bruce retired from United Technologies in 1979 and served on the boards of Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation, Mechanics Savings Bank, Pratt & Whitney Aircraft of Canada, Hartford Graduate Center, Institute for Living, St. Francis Hospital and Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company. After a second career as a consultant he moved with his wife Mary ("Betty") to Naples, FL in 1996, where she predeceased him in 2002 after 57 years of marriage. During his time in Naples, Bruce became involved in charitable work with Food for the Poor of Boca Raton, FL, and supported the construction of several schools and farm facilities in Haiti and El Salvador. He married the former Ann Kinniry of Naples in 2003. He was predeceased by his son Paul in 2002 and is survived by his wife Ann, his daughter Mary Ann Juliano and her husband Bob of Farmington; sons Mark Torell of Stevenson Ranch, CA and Craig Torell and his wife Debbie of Acworth, GA; daughter-in-law, Jean Torell-McDonald of Largo, FL; grandchildren Katrina Yorkey, Christine Ross, Kelly Torell, Eric Juliano, Mark Juliano, Sean Juliano, Richard Torell, Nicole TorelI, Elisa Torell, Benjamin Torell and James Torell, and seven great-grandchildren. Calling hours are 5-8 p.m. on Friday, January 20, at Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home, 136 South Main Street, West Hartford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 21, at St. Peter Claver Church, 47 Pleasant Street, West Hartford, CT 06107. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in West Hartford. Those wishing may make contributions in his honor to Alzheimer's Support Network, 660 Tamiami Trail N., Suite 21, Naples, FL 34102. Please share your memories of Bruce and expressions of sympathy by emailing ctorell@bellsouth.net