Andrew Jacob Torres dies at the age of 23
Led recent memorial service for the late Todd Bryant
Second Lt. Andrew Jacob Torres, USMC, died on April 3, 2004, at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center in Los Angeles, following a courageous battle with cancer. His parents, Leonard and Anita (Brenner) Torres; sister Rachel Torres, and girlfriend, Ens. Ana Ortiz, USN, were at his bedside. Andrew was 23 years old.
Born at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena on Aug. 1, 1980, Andrew
became interested in military service because his father served as a Marine officer with Force Recon in Vietnam and his great-uncle, also a Marine, fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima during WW II.
Andrew attended local schools beginning with Pacific Oaks Childrens School through
kindergarten, followed by La Cañada and Palm Crest elementary schools, where local educator and former principal Don Hingst remembers him as a student who loved to play flag football, and as a personable young man with many friends.
“My last remembrance of him was at the memorial service that he organized for his good friend, Todd Bryant, who was killed in Iraq,” Hingst said this week. “He looked so handsome and smart in his uniform. One would not know that his young life was threatened by cancer. I choose to remember him as a handsome, vital young man who loved his country and was willing to serve all of us in the military.”
Andrew participated in AYSO, LC Junior Baseball and Cub Scouts, and studied piano and violin. He also attended Tom Sawyer Camp every summer.
He attended Flintridge Preparatory School from seventh through 12th grades. He earned varsity letters in football, soccer and track and was a goalkeeper for El Club Deportivo de Morazon, an adult Central American League soccer team based in Los Angeles. Andrew was an active member of Boy Scout Troop 398, and achieved the rank of Eagle and was a lifetime member of the National Eagle Scout Association. He was also a member of the Order of the Arrow.
In his senior year at Prep, Andrew received a Congressional appointment to the United States Naval Academy. While at the United States Naval Academy, Andrew played intramural sports, including soccer, field ball and rugby. He was assigned to 11th Company for the first two years and to 23rd Company for the last two. Andrew graduated with the Class of 2002, with a bachelor of science degree in history. At graduation, Andrew was commissioned into the United States Marine Corps as a Second
Lieutenant. For the remainder of his life, Andrew served as an assistant to the Senior Marine at the Naval Academy.
“Lt. Torres was an inspiration to all those who came in contact with him,” said Major Greg Boll, USMC, United States Naval Academy. “He loved being a lieutenant in the Marine Corps and although only commissioned for two years, he had an extraordinary impact on the personnel he was stationed with. His loss will be felt by all those here at the Naval Academy.”
Known for his charm, wit, and positive attitude, Andrew made a lasting impression on all who met him. He was devoted to his family and friends. In addition to his parents and sister, all La Cañada residents, Andrew is survived by his paternal grandmother, Charlotte Torres of Sant Paula, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends, including his classmates from the Naval Academy and Flintridge Preparatory School.
Graveside services will be held on Friday, April 9, at 10 a.m., at Forest Lawn Glendale, 1712 S Glendale Ave, Glendale.
At Andrew’s request, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to USC Norris Cancer Center Development Office 1441 E. Lake Avenue, 8th Floor. Los Angeles, CA 90033. The phone number is (323) 865-0700. Memo line should state: “ 2nd Lt. Andrew J. Torres Research Fund.” The funds will be designated for the Heinz Josef Lenz M.D. Cancer Research Project.