Obituary for JOHN DOMINIC TORREANO
John Dominic "Tar" Torreano, 98, of 308 Hungerford Ave., Negaunee passed away peacefully early Friday morning, February 15, 2019 at UP Health System Bell with his loving family by his side.
Born Giovanni Domenico Torreano-Martinetti in San Martino Canavese, Italy on July 23, 1920 to Dominic & Antonia (Gianoglio) Torreano, John arrived at Ellis Island on his 7th birthday. The family then settled in Negaunee where his father had already been living for 7 years. John first attended Cambria school where he met his life-long friend Peter Ghiardi, who also helped him to learn English, then attended St Paul's School.
After serving in the CCC, and working as a miner, he enlisted in the 82nd Airborne, 505 Parachute Infantry in 1942. He served in 5 European Campaigns from North Africa through D-Day, Battle of the Bulge, and Germany. He was a POW in Italy before escaping. After the war, he went to live in California, where his family had moved, and married Delores Simondi. While in California he worked as a Ranger for the California State Parks. They returned to Negaunee in 1951 where he worked as a Policeman for the city, and continued as a city employee until retiring. John was also a Negaunee Volunteer Fireman for many years.
John is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ellen M. (Lepola) Torreano; daughters: Tonia Holcomb, Linda Ouahmane (Abdallah), Lori-Ann Kyto (David); two sons, George Torreano and Scott Torreano; grandchildren: Daniel, Joshua, Toria, Adam, Katrina, Kelsii, Luke, Niilo, and Niina; and a great-granddaughter, Vivian. John's greatest joys were his children and grandchildren which he always made his top priority. Family was everything to him.
He was preceded in death by first wife, Delores (Simondi) Torreano; his parents, Dominic and Antonia Torreano; brothers, Bruno and Louis Torreano; and daughter-in-law, Evelyn Torreano.
Ellen and John's children offer our deepest appreciation to the staff of UP Health System Bell and John's long serving physician, Dr. Wayne Carlson. John loved his life in Negaunee and those community members he shared many years of friendship with. He enjoyed spending summers at the camp he built on Lake George, that was truly his "Happy Place", and also socializing at his morning coffee group which he attended until his death.
John was a member of St. Paul's Catholic church of Negaunee.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 29th at the Negaunee Cemetery, with Rev. Larry Van Damme officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends for a luncheon at the St. Paul School Gymnasium immediately following the graveside services.
John’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com, where memories and condolences may be shared.
Born Giovanni Domenico Torreano-Martinetti in San Martino Canavese, Italy on July 23, 1920 to Dominic & Antonia (Gianoglio) Torreano, John arrived at Ellis Island on his 7th birthday. The family then settled in Negaunee where his father had already been living for 7 years. John first attended Cambria school where he met his life-long friend Peter Ghiardi, who also helped him to learn English, then attended St Paul's School.
After serving in the CCC, and working as a miner, he enlisted in the 82nd Airborne, 505 Parachute Infantry in 1942. He served in 5 European Campaigns from North Africa through D-Day, Battle of the Bulge, and Germany. He was a POW in Italy before escaping. After the war, he went to live in California, where his family had moved, and married Delores Simondi. While in California he worked as a Ranger for the California State Parks. They returned to Negaunee in 1951 where he worked as a Policeman for the city, and continued as a city employee until retiring. John was also a Negaunee Volunteer Fireman for many years.
John is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ellen M. (Lepola) Torreano; daughters: Tonia Holcomb, Linda Ouahmane (Abdallah), Lori-Ann Kyto (David); two sons, George Torreano and Scott Torreano; grandchildren: Daniel, Joshua, Toria, Adam, Katrina, Kelsii, Luke, Niilo, and Niina; and a great-granddaughter, Vivian. John's greatest joys were his children and grandchildren which he always made his top priority. Family was everything to him.
He was preceded in death by first wife, Delores (Simondi) Torreano; his parents, Dominic and Antonia Torreano; brothers, Bruno and Louis Torreano; and daughter-in-law, Evelyn Torreano.
Ellen and John's children offer our deepest appreciation to the staff of UP Health System Bell and John's long serving physician, Dr. Wayne Carlson. John loved his life in Negaunee and those community members he shared many years of friendship with. He enjoyed spending summers at the camp he built on Lake George, that was truly his "Happy Place", and also socializing at his morning coffee group which he attended until his death.
John was a member of St. Paul's Catholic church of Negaunee.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 29th at the Negaunee Cemetery, with Rev. Larry Van Damme officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends for a luncheon at the St. Paul School Gymnasium immediately following the graveside services.
John’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com, where memories and condolences may be shared.