Thomaston- Mr. Robert J. Torrence, 87, died peacefully Friday, November 28 on the birthday of his beloved late wife Ellen (Maloney) Torrence at Cook Willow Convalescent Home in Plymouth were he was recuperating from pneumonia. He was surrounded by his devoted daughter, Sarah "Sally" Torrence and his nieces, Maggie Torrence Rose and Julie Torrence Gold. Mr. Torrence was born in Waterbury on December 17, 1920 son of the late Eugene F. and Mary (Harrigan) Torrence. He was a graduate of Thomaston High School class of 1938 were he was manager of the boys basketball team. After graduation he completed a three year apprenticeship as a tool and die maker at Seth Thomas Clock. Mr. Torrence served as a sergeant in the United States Army Air Corps of Engineers during WWII. He was stationed in Burma, China and India from 1942 until 1945. He was a construction foreman who supervised the work of a squad building bridges, roads and landing strips for the allied forces to cross the Himalayan Mountains. After the military Robert trained as a nurseryman under Bob Bird of Bristol Nurseries and subsequently began his own landscaping business. He loved being outdoors and continued to work until he was 83 years old. He was a proud member of many local organizations during his life including the Mattatuck Fife and Drum Band, the VFW, Knights of Columbus and the Thomaston Historical Society. He is survived by two daughters, Ellen T. Mavros and her husband Glenn of CA and Sarah "Sally" M. Torrence of Thomaston; one brother, John F. Torrence of Thomaston and his granddaughter, Alyssa Jane Mavros of CA and several nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by a brother, Eugene F. Torrence. Arrangements: Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, December 5 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Thomas Church, Thomaston. Burial with Military honors will follow in St. Thomas Cemetery. Calling hours are Thursday, December 4 from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. For more information or to send an online condolence please visit www.lyonsfuneralhome.com Memorial contributions may be made to the St. John School Building Fund 21 Academy Hill Rd. Watertown, CT 06795 or to the National Parkinson Foundation 1501 N.W. 9th Ave. / Bob Hope Road Miami, FL 33136-1494

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