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Ricardo Torres Obituary
05/12/2021
New Haven Firefighter Ricardo Torres, Jr. died a hero on May 12, 2021 while responding to a fire on Valley Street in New Haven. He was a loving husband to Erica Martinez, a loving and caring father to their sons Oliver Torres and Crew Torres, who is to be born in August.
Ricardo was born in New Haven on November 11, 1990, the son of Cathy Foster-Mendez and the late Ricardo Torres. He followed his passion of becoming a firefighter as a member of Recruit Class 62. He joined the New Haven Fire Department in July 2019 and was assigned to Engine 6, Fourth Division. It was here that he experienced and enjoyed the camaraderie of his second family and realizing his dream since he was two years old. An amazing son and brother, Ricardo grew up in West Haven and loved playing hockey, going fishing and snowboarding. He also loved cooking and eating.
Besides his wife, mother and sons, Ricardo is also survived by his sister Cayla Mendez, his stepfather Armand Mendez, his grandparents Barbara and Howard "Pop" Rohner, his aunt Robyn Foster and uncles Ralph Foster and Felix Cortes. He also leaves behind his beloved in-laws Adrian and Madeline Martinez who loved Ricardo like their own son, and his sister-in-law Alyssa Martinez.
A Catholic service will be held on Thursday May 20, 2021 at 10 a.m. in St. Mary Church, 5 Hillhouse Avenue, New Haven. Masks are mandatory while in Church. Burial with full departmental honors will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to National Fallen Firefighters Foundation www.firehero.org. Share a memory, view the livestream of the funeral service and sign Ricardo's guest book online at www.iovanne.com. The Iovanne Funeral Home, Inc. is honored to care for Ricardo and his family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ricardo Torres
Sponsored by NHRegister.com.
Freddie Cotto
May 10, 2024
May you S.I.P Big giant! Love you family!
Theresa Grottole
May 20, 2021
My throughts and prayers for the family of Ricardo Torres JR.
May God hold him in his arms and protect your family. he died in service for his family, town and state. God Bless, Theresa Grottole, WIndsor, CT
Lisa Kane
May 20, 2021
May Our Heavenly Father Walk With You and Protect You, Mrs. Torres, and with your Beautiful son and baby on the way. I am stricken with pain and grief by the tragedy of this Beautiful loss of life, given while in the line of duty, having saved two lives, yet gave his own. May The Love of The Lord and the Love and Support of all of those who stand with you on this day, assist your burden of your loss and know that you and your family are Loved and are forever indebted to Your Husband for His Bravery, Love and Courage. God Bless You. Lisa Kane
Lisa Kane
May 20, 2021
May Our Heavenly Father Walk With You and Protect You, Mrs. Torres, and with your Beautiful son and baby on the way. I am stricken with pain and grief by the tragedy of this Beautiful loss of life, given while in the line of duty, having saved two lives, yet gave his own. May The Love of The Lord and the Love and Support of all of those who stand with you on this day, assist your burden of your loss and know that you and your family are Loved and are forever indebted to Your Husband for His Bravery, Love and Courage. God Bless You. Lisa Kane
Santia
May 20, 2021
My prayers and condolences to Cathy, his wife, son, family, fellow firefighters, friends, and community. No words can express comfort in this great loss. My prayers are with you all.
Trish
May 19, 2021
Cathy, Erica and family. I pray that your faith in God and his promise that there will be world without end gets you all through the toughest of moments. RICO, WILL FOREVER BE YOUR ANGEL FROM ABOVE. HE LEFT A BEAUTIFUL LEGACY TO CARRY ON IN HIS CHILDREN.
East Hartford Fire Department
Sent Flowers
Wilfredo Cotto (aka) Freddie
May 18, 2021
My deepest condolences to the Torres family and the New Haven fire department.
Vaughn Shepard Grant
May 18, 2021
I did not know Rico but was friends with his grandmother, Barbara, great grandmother, Alice & Alice’s sister Louise.
I offer my sincere condolences to the Foster & Torres families, the New Haven Fire Department & the entire Brotherhood of fire fighters.
Our family has a deep history in the West Haven Fire Dept.
The Cameron & Shepard families
Diana Scorpio
May 18, 2021
My condolences to the family and friends. May your hero rest in peace
Eddie
May 18, 2021
RIP,You will never be forgotten
William Herrera
May 17, 2021
Though we have never met we are part of a Brotherhood that few understand. Rest easy my Brother, we got it from here!
Crystal White
May 17, 2021
To the family may God wrap his arms around you during this difficult time. May the memories of Ricardo live in your hearts forever
Crystal White
May 17, 2021
To the family may God wrap his arms around you during this difficult time. May the memories of Ricardo live on forever in your hearts
Crystal White
May 17, 2021
To the family may God wrap his arms around you during this difficult time. May the memories of Ricardo live on forever in your hearts.
Peter Torres Sr
May 17, 2021
Rest in Peace. A true hero who gave the ultimate sacrifice to help others.
Lynn
May 17, 2021
God Bless and hold this HERO in the palm of your hand!
Prayers to his family and all those who will hold them up during this difficult time.
Louis Ross
May 17, 2021
I remember you as a little boy living upstairs from us on Williams St. May you Rest In Eternal Peace and always be by your Mother, Wife and children’s side.
S. Rose
May 17, 2021
My deepest condolences to the family of this brave young man. May you rest in peace Ricardo and thank you for your service.
Ralph foster
May 17, 2021
Rick this cigar is for you..love uncle ralph
Tanya Reed-Mack
May 17, 2021
To the Torres family, NHFD, family and friends, please accept my condolence on the passing of Ricardo. May God embrace you all in comfort during this difficult time in your lives, and may my sympathy and heartfelt condolence bring you comfort. Praying for your strength. God Bless you all.
kathryn yukness
May 17, 2021
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Leon brown
May 16, 2021
R.I.P. Bro. It was a pleasure working with you!!!
Kenneth Bly
May 16, 2021
Fly high you will be truly missed!
Jan Alea Lougal
May 16, 2021
I did not know Ricardo, nor do I know his family. But my heart breaks for you and for his sacrifice. He gave the ultimate price for his fellow man. My Deepest Sympathy to his family and may God Bless You All. Thank You Sir for your Service.
Anne Massaro
May 16, 2021
RIP Ricardo You served NHFD and are a hero ! Condolences To he Family
Gareth Downey
May 16, 2021
Amazing young man from a great family. Proud to have been his neighbor in West Haven many years ago. Love and condolences to his family.
Tracey Bonoff
May 16, 2021
Our deepest condolences to the family and to his fellow firefighters...we have known Ricky since he was a child. He was raised to be respectful, caring and kind which we saw first hand at how he treated my parents. He became a man who took that to the next level and became someone who sacrificed for others. We come from a family of firefighters and we respect and honor you..God Bless. Tracey and Garth Bonoff (Esposito)
Jim Foley, Asst. Fire Chief, Deer Isle, ME
May 16, 2021
The ultimate sacrifice to help a neighbor in harm's way. A true hero! Never Forget his sacrifice.
Lori Esposito
May 16, 2021
My deepest condolences to Cathy and her family and Mrs. Torres, her son and her family. I remember Ricky as a little boy at Children's Wonderland in our program and he was my parent's neighbor, always there to help when needed. I know they were there for him at the gates of Heaven. He grew to be an amazing young man, father, brother and hero. May his memory get all through this difficult time. Love and God Bless, Lori Esposito
D DiVito
May 16, 2021
RIP Ricardo you will be welcomed with open arms in Gods world. To his family take peace in knowing that we all meet again. God Bless
Dave DiVito
Ret Capt NHFD
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Memorial Events
for Ricardo Torres
May
20
Service
10:00 a.m.
St. Mary Church
5 Hillhouse Avenue,, New Haven, CT
May
20
Burial
Cedar Hill Cemetery,
Hartford, CT
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