Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Richard Torraca Obituary
Milltown - Richard Michael Torraca II, of Milltown, passed away suddenly at home on Tuesday, September 15, 2020. He was 42.
Born in New Brunswick, he lived most of his life in Milltown. He was in the Boy Scouts Troop 33 and served as an altar boy at Our Lady of Lourdes in Milltown. Rich graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in political science.
Rich was very proud of his time working for US Senator Frank Lautenberg from 2003 - 2010. He previously had worked for Congressman Frank Pallone and the Somerset County Democratic Committee.
Most recently Rich had worked for the New York Law School and Princeton University. He also worked for Muscle Mill in Milltown and Milltown Pharmacy.
An outdoorsman, Rich felt closest to the Lord while hiking, fly fishing, kayaking and mountain climbing. He was very spiritual and was very caring. He loved being engaged with the community and you could always find him volunteering and helping the needy in any way he could. Rich felt comfort with his brothers and sisters at Renovation House in NY State. He enjoyed travel and could never have enough time outdoors. He was an avid reader and very knowledgeable on all topics.
He's predeceased by his grandparents, Roberta and Michael Chirico and Evelyn Torraca; his aunt and uncle Erna and Robert Chirico and his cousin Jennifer Chirico.
Surviving are his parents Richard M. and Michele (Chirico) Torraca, Sr. of Milltown; his sisters Alicia and her husband Jesse Gamble of Monroe Twp., Erika Torraca and her fiancé Akshay Bhatia of NYC, and Larissa and her husband Matthew Minchello of Manalapan; his "special older sister" Elena Iadevaia of East Brunswick; his grandfather Nicholas R. Torraca of Easton, MD; his nephews and niece, godsons Mason and Noah, Ezra and Emma; his aunts and uncles, godparents Kathy and Lenny Szot of Kinzers, PA, Elsie and Frank Chirico of Milltown, Margaret Benjamin of Marlboro, MA, and Kathy and Doug Butler of Verona, NJ; and several cousins.
Friends and relatives may call on Sunday, September 20th, from 2:00 - 6:00 pm at The Crabiel Home for Funerals, 170 N Main St.-at Riva Avenue, Milltown. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday at 10:00 am, at St. Bartholomew RC Church, Ryders Lane, East Brunswick. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Burial Park in East Brunswick. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made either to Renovation House, www.renovationhouse.org or St. Jude's Children Hospital, www.stjude.org You may sign the online condolence "guestbook" at www.crabiel.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Torraca
Sponsored by The Crabiel Home for Funerals - Milltown.
Dina Neziri
September 23, 2020
My deepest condolences.
Kristina Locicero
September 21, 2020
He was a genuine person and will be missed.
brooke chuang
September 21, 2020
My condolences to Rich's family and friends. I am so sorry for your loss. Rich was a great mentor during the time I knew him and I imagine only became better with time. He is gone too soon.
Christina Rudczynski
September 21, 2020
There are no words to comfort the loss of someone so young and a person you grew up with, I have some fond memories from high school. I am so sorry for your loss and as hard as it is to see, he is at peace. Richie will be guiding you during this difficult time. My thoughts are with you.
MICHAEL BAKER
September 20, 2020
I'm sorry to hear of Rich's passing... we became close at The Renovation House and I came to recognize the wonderful heart Rich had... His Love for our Lord Jesus showed through his gentleness and warmth... I truly will miss him while here... but will be reunited in eternity... See ya soon Rich!!! Love you my brother!!
Cheryl L Swallick
September 20, 2020
Rich,
My heart aches knowing about the recent passing of your son.
Prayers and hugs.
Tracy Farrow
September 20, 2020
Although I've never had the chance to meet any of you in person, I feel I have got to know you Michele, over last couple of years. I know how much your family mean to you, and I want to send you my sincere condolences at the tragic loss of your beloved son, Richard. He sounds like he was a wonderful man, and I know he will be so truly missed by you, your family, friends and acquaintances. I send you my love at this awfully sad time, and hope that your faith in God will help you all to get through this terrible time together.
Nancy and Jim Wilburn/Norris
September 19, 2020
We are very sorry for your loss. Rich sounds like he was a wonderful and well loved guy. We can't begin to imagine the sadness you are feeling.
Linda Purcell
September 19, 2020
I only new Rich for 3 short weeks when he attended my Real Estate Class. A great guy, the entire class is devastated. Rest in Peace Rich.
Albert Graulich
September 19, 2020
So sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers go out to the family
Eloise Becker
September 19, 2020
I am so sorry for your loss. Rich sounds like such a wonderful young man. I did not have the opportunity to know him but he was dear to my Daughter-in-Law, his Aunt Kathy (Torraca) and Uncle Doug Butler. He is now safely in the hands of the Lord. My deepest sympathy to the family.
Margaret Benjamin
September 19, 2020
My nephew Rich was an amazing person. His faith truly inspired me. He is deeply missed & will be in my heart forever.
Chrissy Weber
September 17, 2020
Rest in Peace Rich....You will be missed!
Carol Wills
September 17, 2020
My sympathy and love!
Carl Scimeca
September 17, 2020
Rich touched many people throughout his life in so many good ways. I had the pleasure of working with him at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory for what now seems like a very short time. I enjoyed every minute at PPPL and his passing comes as a shock. To young in life to pass on. I liked his FB posts of hiking and kayaking different locations around NJ. I am truly sorry for this loss because I know he had so much more to give in life. You will be missed Rich.
Pastor Steve Barrows
September 17, 2020
I am so sorry for your loss. I knew Rich at Renovation House and always found him to be inquisitive and a deep thinker. May our Lord ease your sorrow at this tender time.
Aunt Kathy & Uncle Doug (Torraca) Butler
September 18, 2020
"In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars will be laughing when you look at the sky at night.."
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince
Gerry Van Gorden
September 18, 2020
I remember Richard from the Milltown Library where his sister Alicia worked. He was a fine young man who always watched out for Alicia. So so sorry for your loss.
Patty (Butler) Martin-Claspell
September 18, 2020
Although I didn't personally know Rich, he was dear to my sister-in-law, Kathy and my brother Doug. I understand that Rich lead a full and rewarding life. He'll surely be missed by all who knew him, including his friends, his coworkers, his brothers and sisters at Renovation House and mostly by his family.
With my deepest sympathy,
Patty (Butler) Martin-Claspell
Matt Fasullo
September 18, 2020
Rich will be sorely missed. He was always very good to me and a great guy in general. Sorry I cannot make the services but my best to his family and friends.
william george
September 18, 2020
Rich im so sorry for your loss if theres any thing i can do to help please holler mcvl 609-890-9987.
regards Bill George
Jackie Revolinsky
September 18, 2020
A man who always offered a kind word and easy laugh. A gentle soul who will be missed. Sincerest sympathies to his family and many friends.
Kathleen Hart
September 18, 2020
I am truly sorry for your loss. Just know that he is now in the safe hands of our lord.
Showing 1 - 28 of 28 results
Make a Donation
in Richard Torraca's name
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
Memorial Events
for Richard Torraca
Sep
20
Funeral services provided by:
The Crabiel Home for Funerals - Milltown170 North Main Street -At Riva Avenue, Milltown, NJ 08850
How to support Richard's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Richard Torraca's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
