It has been over a year since my grandpas passing, yet I still haven't found the words I want to say. He taught me so many life lessons, loved me the way no other man ever could. He taught me that blood does NOT make you family, and as Jose was my step-grandpa, he loved me like his own, as I was. I think about him every day. Not a day goes by that I don't wish he was here with all of us. Celebrating our life accomplishments, telling us jokes, lighting up our world like no one ever could. He is my hero and he always will be. Love you Grandpa. 
Jeremiah 33:3 

Joe took me under his wing when I first started at the Corrections Center in 1984. He was like my cup of coffee every morning greeting me with a smile and a pat on the back. We had a little bit of a connection because both of us being in the Military. Joe you always made people feel at ease when every they had contact with you, something I put into practice every day since our first meeting. Heaven is a much better place because of you.

Harlan Finch (Shelton, WA)

I can not believe Jose is gone.  Seems like just yesterday that he retired.  I worked with him at WCC.  He always had a hug, smile and laugh.  He was so nice and such a kind man.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

My Dearest Uncle Joe, I will never forget all the great times we had together. I can remember back when I was 4 years old living in Puerto Rico and we were celebrating The Three Kings. Well on the 1st night I pretended I was asleep and tio was putting my gift in my little box of grass we all had under our beds and he caught me peeking at what he was doing and I almost, and I mean almost lost my beautiful doll he had put under my bed. Then of course those wonderful GI parties that he trick us into always with that great laugh and wonderful smile. But seriously, he was a wonderful caring loving faithful man that was always there for my mom(Yoly). They had the greatest closeness that mom is going to miss dearly. I am privileged to say he was my uncle. I will miss our talks and when I needed guidance the most I could always count on him. He was such a shining light in many peoples lives, and he touched so many of our hearts. Uncle Joe I will miss seeing you at moms , making you bad coffee, cause seriously, I am not a coffee maker since I do not drink it, yeap so true, and always making sure we had something sweet to go with your coffee, cause we all knew you loved your sweets. My yearly Christmas cards that I always looked forward to. I'm gonna miss that wonderful smile, and your warm hugs. Rest in peace Uncle Joe. You will never be forgotten. Love you always, Your Niece Annette Avila

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I worked with Jose at the Kiosk in 109 State for 3 years. We shared many thoughts about the many parallels in our lives including our involvement with Native Americans. My wife is Abenaki. I am very saddened to hear of his joining Creator and will pray for his journey with a sweetgrass smudge.

My day was saddened by the loss of Jose. I had the privilege of working with Jose in Montpelier, and his integrity, honesty, and faith were a shining example to all who knew him. God bless his family, may their faith and memories give them comfort.

My thoughts and prayers go out to your family. I only knew him briefly but Jose had an infectious smile and a kind soul.  May he rest in peace as he smiles down from above.

First off I am sorry for your loss. Joe helped me in countless ways when he worked at WCC. He was my partner, a friend, and a mentor. He helped me through some trying times, and not many people know that. I will always be grateful for his friendship; and consider myself a better man for having him in my life. May the Lord watch over him, and your family through this transition.

A great man and a lovely human being.  Jose always brightened the day with his ready smile and quick laugh.  So sorry to learn of his passing.

So very sorry for your loss.  My thoughts and prayers go out to his entire family.  It was always a pleasure to greet Jose at the Security Desk at 109 State Street.  He quickly became a friend to all.  Always very courteous to everyone.  He will be missed by all who knew him.

I did not know Jose well, but he brightened many of my days with his kind words and sunny disposition.  He will be missed.  I am so sorry for your loss.  Kate Gallagher

My deepest condolences for your loss.  May your memories bring you comfort at this very difficult time.  May you find peace in knowing that Jose is no longer suffering.  We were all truly blessed to have had him in our lives.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours as you deal with the loss of Jose.  He and I would often solve all the world's problems at the end of a day as well as recognize new problems coming our way.  We both enjoyed these conversations.  God Bless!

I am proud to say that I was friends with and worked with Jose. He was a great guy, who was loved by his fellow workers. Jose was a valued member of our security team ,quick of wit, always willing to lend a helping hand and a real joy to work with. He will be missed by all of us at BGS/State of Vermont Security. I am guessing that he is even now "guarding the gates in Heaven"

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.  May your memories bring you comfort.

I am so sorry for the loss of a wonderful man. Jose loved his family so much, especially his Cheryl. 
Thinking of you, love and strength to you. xo

Jose will be remembered for his service to his country, his dedication to his family,  his professionalism in our security division, his sense of humor and his constant cravings for pizza.  Rest in Peace Buddy!

Jose was a wonderful brother in law, we would tease each other over the Mariners, which he dearly loved NOT and the NY YANKEES which I dearly loved NOT. Was so much fun getting Mariners things for him and getting NY YANKEE stuff from him. I'm going to miss this going on between us. Jose R.I.P. Brother I will sport NY YANKEE flag in your memory miss you and love you much.

As happy as I am that you got to go home, Jose, I am very sorry for Cheryl's loss.  May you rest in peace.

My sweet and loving brother,I will always remember that sweet smile that you had.I will love you for ever.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               your sister:Maria Rivera

Jose would bring such love and happiness to all who knew him. I having the privilege of only knowing him a short time, I witnessed the love and devotion he shared with his wife Cheryl, my forever friend. He is at peace now, and waits for all those who love him to join him someday.

Blessed be my friend,

Cindy Ray

Papi was my father. He gave me so much and I will always be grateful to him for that. His life was rich with faith, love, strength and a never ending sense of humor. I will forever miss him.

My sweet sweet husband - my best friend - you stole my heart the first time I met you and will have it forever.  Love you so much and being without you is going to the hardest thing I will have to do.  
                 From my arms to JESUS

He was my Papi. I have gained so much in my life because of him. His life was rich in faith, love, and a never ending sense of humor. He had such a special heart. I will miss him forever.

My sweet, sweet husband - you stole my heart the first day I met you and you will have it forever.  I love you so much. From my arms to JESUS arms.

My dear uncle Joe, you will be greatly missed. though I have thanked you many times before, I want to take the time out to thank you again for your help during the times when school was tough and your words of encouragement, and your theology and religion knowledge guided me through these tough times....I love you and again thank you... RIP

Undoubtedly, Jose is a very good friend of mine, a brother to me, who was charismatic and optimistic in many ways. Jose, will use his life experiences many times as a source to counsel and bring sense to our conversations. Nonetheless, Joes' biggest legacy is his unconditional Love to our Lord Jesus Christ and his wife Sheryl and his family. However, I do take comfort on these words and I know that we will meet again. Meantime Jose, enjoy the RUMBA (Puerto Rican party) Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.  For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 NIV

Jose L. Deleon (Lacey, WA. Via Puerto Rico )

R.I.P. my brother in law you were the best. I will always love you and never for get you.

MI QUERIDO HERMANO,AUNQUE SIEMPRE ESTUVISTES LEJOS DE LA FAMILIA, TU Y YO, SIEMPRE NOS COMUNICAMOS, ME VAN A HACER FALTA TUS CONSEJOS, TUS BROMAS (IGUALITO QUE PEDRO) TU VOZ, EN GENERAL. YO, AUNQUE ME HACES MUCHA FALTA, ME SIENTO FELIZ, PORQUE ESTA ERA LA RAZON DE TU SER. SIEMPRE QUERIAS CONOCER A JESUS CARA A CARA, Y YA LO CONSEGUISTES Y SE QUE ESTAS TRANQUILO, SATISFECHO Y CONTENTO, AHORA YA ESTAS HACIENDO REIR A MAMI, A NAYDA ,PEDRO. PEDRO VA A TENER COMPETENCIA CONTIGO, A VER CUAL DE LOS ES MAS CHARLATAN. DILE QUE LOS QUEREMOS Y LOS HECHAMOS DE MENOS, PER YO SE QUE EASS PALABRAS NO EXISTEN ALLA. PERO, POR SI ACASO.LOL!!! QUE DIOS TE BENDIGA Y SIEMPRE ESTARAS EN MI CORAZON!!!HASTA PRONTO!!! TE QUIERO!!!!                             TU HERMANA,
                                                                             Letty

Rest in peace Uncle Joe we love you and miss you very much !!

Jose Torres was my father. He gave me my strength, humor, and love of nature. 

He was a good man. I miss him so much.

My earliest memory of Uncle Joe was when we were wee little ones.  Uncle Joe came to visit us in Long Island.  He asked us if we wanted to have a GI party.  Of course, any mention of a party to a poor but happy family was like Christmas in July. He said that we would have icecream too.  What we didn't know was that a GI party wasn't really a party at all.  It was a cleaning party and we all fell for it.  Of course we didn't get the icecream until all the work was done but boy did that icecream taste amazing. Uncle Joe was a soft spoken man who loved with all his heart and always reflected the light of Jesus even when times were tough. His faith was strong and unfailing and when things got really hard, he held on to the promises of God that we would not be forsaken in our trials.  I know that he is now in heaven with Jesus and has reunited with his loved ones who have passed before him.  I am rejoicing in his victory.  You will be missed Uncle Joe.  God Bless.

You are remembered MY FRIEND... RIP  CO2 M.AMES

I was disappointed to see Joe had passed away already, but then reminded myself of his faith in Jesus and know where he is and how much better off he is than us right now.

Joe and I were on the Hostage Negotiations Team in the 90's at WCC and he was a wealth of knowledge and a cornerstone of the team.  Always good for a laugh, but serious when it mattered.  He was a great partner and I will miss him.  I wish his family good memories of a great man.

Arrel Dayton, WCC Records

Joe was such a calm, easy going, amazing man. A mentor. Working with him in the IMU at WCC are some of my greatest memories of prison. He was professional at all times and always gave 110%. He was also a very dear friend who will be greatly missed. I was blessed to reconnect with him last summer at a baseball tournament. Cheryl, I pray that you find peace in knowing how much he loved you and that he is no longer in pain. Please stay in touch.

I also worked with Office Torres (Joe) Good man .  Man of God!!

So sorry for your loss Cheryl. Jose was such a great help to counselors in C building at WCC ~ always willing to help with interpretation concerns, always had a friendly smile and word for everyone. Please take good care ~

I worked with Joe at WCC rest in peace my friend. My condolences to your family and friends.

I worked with Officer Torres at the WCC. He taught me a lot. He was a very fun and knowledgeable Officer. I pray for peace for your family. I am very sorry for your loss. Officer Debbie Ricker

I am sorry for the loss of Joe. We worked together for as long as I can remember, Cedar Hall, IMU, R-3. He was a very even tempered person, whom I had considerable respect for and appreciate being able to say he was my friend. He will be missed, and I will think of him often.
Jeff Sanders.

OBITUARY

Jose Anibal Torres

August 5, 1949 – May 9, 2016

Mills & Mills Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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