1929
David
2014
David J. Torella
September 17, 1929 — September 5, 2014
David J. Torella departed this world on September 5, 2014 after a long and well-lived life. David, who was the youngest child of Antonio Torella and Giovanna DiDomenico Torella, was born on September 17, 1929 in Lowellville, Ohio. After six children who resembled their father, his mother was overjoyed that she finally had one that looked like her. David, also known as "Hoot Owl", was a small man with a big personality. His sense of humor had no limits and at the lowest moments in life, it was his humor that got everyone through times of sadness.
He leaves his wife of almost 49 years, Agnes Baal Torella, whom he affectionately called "the old battle axe"; three daughters Cynthia Harrell of Las Vegas, Nevada and her husband Darryl, Linda Houde of Bedford, Virginia and her husband David, and Roslyn Torella of New Market, Maryland and her husband Ronald Reese; a granddaughter, Lindsey Harrell and great grandson, DeKai Reid both in Las Vegas; a sister Mary Torella Burich Arbie of Boardman, Ohio and a brother John Torella, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. His parents and a sister, Pasqueline Torella Pantana, and three brothers, Nick, James and Joseph Torella, preceded him in death. He also leaves his dear friend of nearly eighty years, Vincent Mariotte of Lowellville, Ohio and many nieces and nephews and wonderful neighbors.
David lived in Lowellville all his life and for the past 82 years in the same home where he enjoyed watching his nieces and nephews grow up and cause trouble, particularly his niece Joanne Burich Phipps Jones who was known to have washed his prized car with mud. Being the cherished baby of the family, he was quite incensed when his niece Angeline Pantana Santillo came along when he was six years old and took away his limelight. Soon many more nieces and nephews joined the family and he loved playing the role of crazy uncle and to tease them when he found an opportunity.
He was a 1948 graduate of Lowellville High School, he was not a top student so where upon graduation the school principal Mr. Metzger called him and two others before the class and said to them that during school their parents and their teachers had been there to help them, but now it was up to God to help them. He enjoyed his reputation as a less than stellar pupil immensely, but he had common sense that would serve him well in life.
He proudly served in the Navy from 1948 to 1952, aboard the best air craft carrier ever built in his humble opinion, the USS Leyte CV-32. His four years in the Navy were a high seas adventure and he traveled nearly all around the world including a tight squeeze through the Panama Canal, overnight accommodations in a Trinidad jail and a joy-ride in a stolen taxi cab in Athens, Greece. He was a member of the USS Leyte Association and he and his wife enjoyed many trips attending USS Leyte reunions and partying with old navy buddies. As a member of VFW Post 3538 in Struthers, Ohio he enjoyed the comradery of fellow veterans including two of his brothers, Joseph and James, who were also members.
After he was discharged from the Navy he worked for Sharon Steel in Lowellville till it closed and was one of the workers who helped dismantle the mill. He retired after 30 years in 1995 as a heavy equipment operator from Heckett Engineering located at WCI Steel in Warren, Ohio. His occupation in a noisy mill afforded him the opportunity to remind his household of four women that he could not hear their nagging.
David enjoyed playing cards and often hosted card games at his home so he could win all of his friends' money from them. His enjoyed gardening and he always gave his first ripe tomato to his niece Genevieve Pantana Ramunno. His favorite past time in recent years was cutting his grass and those of his neighbors and by April of each year, he was itching to get on his lawnmower. For many years, he could be seen riding around in his red 1974 MGB Roadster for with he had a love-hate relationship that now has been passed on to his daughter, Roslyn and her husband Ronald to carry on the tradition of busted knuckles and a light wallet.
Family will be gathering a later date to celebrate his life and share wonderful memories of a well-loved man. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to a favorite charity or the Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market Street, Boardman, OH 44512. David's family was deeply touched by the doctors and staff of St. Elizabeth's Boardman Health Center for their care and compassion during his short stay and extend their profound appreciation.
Arrangements are being handled by the Davidson-Becker Funeral Home, Struthers. Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.
He leaves his wife of almost 49 years, Agnes Baal Torella, whom he affectionately called "the old battle axe"; three daughters Cynthia Harrell of Las Vegas, Nevada and her husband Darryl, Linda Houde of Bedford, Virginia and her husband David, and Roslyn Torella of New Market, Maryland and her husband Ronald Reese; a granddaughter, Lindsey Harrell and great grandson, DeKai Reid both in Las Vegas; a sister Mary Torella Burich Arbie of Boardman, Ohio and a brother John Torella, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. His parents and a sister, Pasqueline Torella Pantana, and three brothers, Nick, James and Joseph Torella, preceded him in death. He also leaves his dear friend of nearly eighty years, Vincent Mariotte of Lowellville, Ohio and many nieces and nephews and wonderful neighbors.
David lived in Lowellville all his life and for the past 82 years in the same home where he enjoyed watching his nieces and nephews grow up and cause trouble, particularly his niece Joanne Burich Phipps Jones who was known to have washed his prized car with mud. Being the cherished baby of the family, he was quite incensed when his niece Angeline Pantana Santillo came along when he was six years old and took away his limelight. Soon many more nieces and nephews joined the family and he loved playing the role of crazy uncle and to tease them when he found an opportunity.
He was a 1948 graduate of Lowellville High School, he was not a top student so where upon graduation the school principal Mr. Metzger called him and two others before the class and said to them that during school their parents and their teachers had been there to help them, but now it was up to God to help them. He enjoyed his reputation as a less than stellar pupil immensely, but he had common sense that would serve him well in life.
He proudly served in the Navy from 1948 to 1952, aboard the best air craft carrier ever built in his humble opinion, the USS Leyte CV-32. His four years in the Navy were a high seas adventure and he traveled nearly all around the world including a tight squeeze through the Panama Canal, overnight accommodations in a Trinidad jail and a joy-ride in a stolen taxi cab in Athens, Greece. He was a member of the USS Leyte Association and he and his wife enjoyed many trips attending USS Leyte reunions and partying with old navy buddies. As a member of VFW Post 3538 in Struthers, Ohio he enjoyed the comradery of fellow veterans including two of his brothers, Joseph and James, who were also members.
After he was discharged from the Navy he worked for Sharon Steel in Lowellville till it closed and was one of the workers who helped dismantle the mill. He retired after 30 years in 1995 as a heavy equipment operator from Heckett Engineering located at WCI Steel in Warren, Ohio. His occupation in a noisy mill afforded him the opportunity to remind his household of four women that he could not hear their nagging.
David enjoyed playing cards and often hosted card games at his home so he could win all of his friends' money from them. His enjoyed gardening and he always gave his first ripe tomato to his niece Genevieve Pantana Ramunno. His favorite past time in recent years was cutting his grass and those of his neighbors and by April of each year, he was itching to get on his lawnmower. For many years, he could be seen riding around in his red 1974 MGB Roadster for with he had a love-hate relationship that now has been passed on to his daughter, Roslyn and her husband Ronald to carry on the tradition of busted knuckles and a light wallet.
Family will be gathering a later date to celebrate his life and share wonderful memories of a well-loved man. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to a favorite charity or the Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market Street, Boardman, OH 44512. David's family was deeply touched by the doctors and staff of St. Elizabeth's Boardman Health Center for their care and compassion during his short stay and extend their profound appreciation.
Arrangements are being handled by the Davidson-Becker Funeral Home, Struthers. Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of David J. Torella, please visit our flower store.