Eugene Joseph Torres Sr.

Gene was born June 27,1946 in Jackson Heights, NY. to the late Eugene M. Torres and the late Agnes Jastrzab Torres. He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert E. Torres.

Gene grew up in New York and graduated from Mineola High School in 1964. After high school, he graduated from the RCA institute in 1966 and joined the Air Force Air National Guard. He completed his service after six years ranked as Staff Sergeant E5.

He worked for thirty years for IBM before retiring. During that time, he and his family moved to Maryland and later to North Carolina, where he happily remained. During his retirement, he started a new career in the NASCAR show car industry traveling for twenty-two years. This career combined his two great loves of racing and travel. He was happy to tell everyone that he visited forty-seven of the fifty states.

Another love of his was to serve his community. He was a member of New Market Volunteer Fire Department in MD until his move to NC where he was a volunteer firefighter for Hemby Bridge for 20 years. During that time, he taught classes training new firefighters and served some time as an Assistant Fire Marshal.

Gene was survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Nancy, his children, Eugene J. Torres, Jr. (Beth) and Michelle T. Sherwood (Doug) of Concord, NC, his sister, Alice Philippi of Ettelbruck, Luxembourg, five grandchildren, Gantt Torres (Karter), Drake Kitchen, Ava Torres, Damien Barker, Isabella Broome one great-granddaughter, Emersyn Torres, nieces Karen Anderson, Joanna Philippi, and nephew, Thomas Philippi.

Family will receive friends at McEwen Funeral Service-Mint Hill Chapel, 7428 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill, NC 28227, US, on Thursday, July 2, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Luke Catholic Church, 9800 Fairview Road Mint Hill, NC 28227, on Friday, July 3, 2026 at 1:00pm

Burial will follow at St. James the Greater Catholic Cemetery, 2323 Gold Hill Road, Concord, NC 28025.