Cipriano Damian Torrez

Cipriano Damian Torrez, 87, of Jacksonville, Florida, formerly of Guadalupita New Mexico gave up his earthly body on January 17, 2023. He is survived by his loving wife Mary Melva Torrez, and his children, Darold Torrez, Ronald Torrez, and Cynthia Taylor. He is survived by his Grandchildren Jeremiah Torrez, Jeremiah’s wife Esther, and their children, Levi, Cippy, and Lillian. Robin Torrez and his wife Antonia, their children Bella, and Eligh as well as his grandchild River Taylor. Cip has one surviving sister, Gloria Kreidler and her husband Marc. He is preceded in death by his children Timothy and Cipriano Torrez as well as his parents, Roberto and Abelina Torrez, brothers and sisters, Adelia Espinosa, Elisaida Martinez, Robert Torrez, George Torrez, Dolores Medina, Maryann Medina and their husbands and wives.

Cipriano was born in Chacon, New Mexico, the 6 ^th of 8 surviving children, to Roberto Torrez and Abelina Gonzales. The family moved to Crowley County, Colorado around 1945 when Cip was a young child. He attended Olney Springs School. At the age of 18 he enlisted in the USMC and is a veteran of the Korean Conflict. In 1954 while on leave he met Miss Mary Torres at a local 4 ^th of July dance in Fowler, Colorado – there were instant fireworks! They conducted a courtship by mail and were married May 14, 1955. Cip finished his enlistment at Camp Pendleton, California, where first son Darold was born. After his commitment to the Marine Corp was complete Cip settled his family in Colorado. They completed their family in Colorado where Cip learned and became very skilled as an Autobody Mechanic, eventually becoming a Master Autobody Mechanic and painter. In the late 1960’s Cip and Mary built a home close to Erie Colorado and purchased a large-scale egg production facility as well as building an autobody shop where he worked behind the home. This was a tremendous undertaking and some years later they moved to Olney Springs Colorado where Cip built and opened another autobody repair shop. The family was soon again on the move to the Thornton/Northglenn suburb of Denver and then again to Fort Collins, where Cip built two homes, finally settling for the longest time in LaPorte Colorado where he again built an autobody shop. His children grew and finished their educations in the Fort Collins area. In the late 1980’s Cip and Mary lost their two youngest sons, which proved to be the most difficult of their challenges. They decided on a change of scenery and moved back to their childhood home of New Mexico where they built a beautiful third home. Cip built his final autobody garage and continued rebuilding cars for many more years. Eventually rebuilding a couple of gorgeous classic Cadillacs which he drove in the local parades filled with local veterans. Cip and Mary became active in their church, becoming Majordomos for a time. He was active on the local water board that supplies and manages water for agriculture in the area. His passion project lie with securing funds from Washington DC and assembling a team of men to physically build the local VFW in Mora, New Mexico. After overseeing and completing the building, he stayed on the board of directors and is a life member of that post. He would attend the funerals, as Color Guard for the local veterans laid to rest in the area, for as long as he was able.

Cip and Mary resided and basked in the beautiful Guadalupita, New Mexico mountainside from 1995 until they moved to Florida in May of 2021. Cip would finally succumb to the ravages of Parkinson’s disease. He fell and broke his hip on Friday, January 13, 2023. He took his final breath at 11:07 January 17 ^th surrounded by his wife, his children and grandchildren, his sister and brother-in-law and his nieces.

A memorial for Cipriano will take place in Angel Fire, New Mexico on May 19, 2023 at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park. Address: 34 Country Club Road, Angel Fire, NM 87045, 575-377-2293

Reception will follow at the Olivas-Valdez VFW Post 1131, NM HWY 518 @ MM 28.5, Mora, NM 87732

If you would like to honor Cip in some small way, memorial donations can be made to Olivas-Valdez VFW Post 1131, PO Box 555, Mora, NM 87732