Enfield, N.H. —
José was born on Jan. 7, 1954, in New York, N.Y., the son of José Torres and Mercedes Diaz Carrasquillo Torres. José graduated from Brooklyn Automotive High School in 1972 and served in the Air Force from 1972 to 1973. He attended New York University, and in 1975 enlisted in the Peace Corps, serving in Ghana. Subsequently, he attended the Art Students League where he studied under Vaclav Vytlacil and apprenticed with Seymour Lipton.
While in the Peace Corps, José met his wife Lisa Douglass. They married in 1980 and they began their married life in New Hampshire. José was at home as the caregiver for their young children. Later he worked at various places in the Upper Valley, most notably at Woodstock Soapstone Company for seven years and later at Nature Calls.
José was a talented painter and sculptor. He loved mechanical things, especially bicycles, and was an active member of the New England Rat Rod Bicycle club. He was always ready to talk about his passions, and many people remember him best for his wit and wisdom.
José is survived by his wife, Lisa; his son, Andres Torres and daughter-in-law, Calysta Reed; his daughter, Katharine Poljacik and son-in-law Daniel Poljacik and his son Noah; Tasha Irizarry Green (a niece whom he helped to raise), her husband David Green, and their three children; his stepfather, Ramon Nieves; and many cousins, nieces and nephews, and dear friends. He was predeceased by his parents, José Torres and Mercedes Nieves, and by his sister, Virginia Ramos.
Calling hours will be at Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon on Friday, Nov. 2, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Helena in Enfield at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3, followed by burial at Countryside Cemetery in Enfield and a reception at St. Helena.
An online guest book is available to leave a message of condolence for José family by visiting www.rickerfuneralhome.com.