Darwin P. Torrence Stephens Mills Darwin Paul Torrence, aged 83 of Stephens Mills, passed on from a long illness on the evening of Thanksgiving, following a day with his family. Born on February 1, 1931 to Fay and Illa Torrence, he grew up with his brothers Gerry and Richard on Keuka Lake in Hammondsport, NY. He graduated from Hammondsport Central School in 1949 and left soon thereafter to serve in the Air Force. He met the love of his life at his parent’s Keuka Lake cottage when he was home on leave from service as a cryptographer in Tokyo, Japan and stateside. He wrote his love, Barbara Tuttle, a beautiful letter she holds close today that told her he would be coming home to marry her – and sure enough he did, on June 8, 1957 at the Methodist Church in Stephen Mills. They celebrated 57 wonderful years of marriage and the births and lives of their three beautiful girls who each have found their loves – Terry (Ron) McDaniel of Hornell, Debra (Clay Johnson) Torrence and Rebecca (Doug Bass) Torrence, both of North Carolina, His grandsons Jason Winant (Dena Viglietta) of Hornell, NY and Christopher Winant (Nicky Peterson) of Seattle, serving currently in the Navy in Romania. They loved their Poppa deeply and gave him much joy and the wonder and laughter of six great grandchildren; Alyssa, Gizelle, Gabrielle, Camden, Anthony and Macy. He is also survived by three sisters-in-law; Mary Lou Belles of Corning, Charlotte Fox of Mt. Morris and Jeanne (Harold) Westbrook of Alton, NY., one brother-in-law, Dick (Carolyn Morton) Tuttle of Washington State, as well as nieces, nephews, and good friends, Lynn Blades and Christine Rhone, and especially his “Pet Pals” Rosy, Founder and Sweetpea. He took great pleasure in camping, boating and fishing and spending many happy hours with his family and watching over his children every day. He taught them a lifetime of knowledge and skills and was their steadfast fan at school sports, week after week after week for years. His professional career, after his military service. included working at Fay Torrence & Sons Hardware in Almond. He left the store to try out his entrepreneurial skills as owner of a BSA motorcycle shop, supervised the transportation of thousands of children over 20 years of service at Arkport Central School. He also shared his amazing handy and mechanical skills with ACES in Alfred and Wilkins and Lamac’s in Hornell. He lived most of his life in the house his parents passed on to the newlyweds as their first and only home sweet home in the town of Stephens Mills, just a block from the family’s dear lifelong friends, John and Christine Rhone and their children, Jim, Jeff and Suzanne. He and John helped to start the Fremont Volunteer Ambulance Corp and Arkport Cinderella Softball League and could be found at Halloween popping up in the local cemetery, where his ashes will be laid, spooking trick or treaters. He was also a member of the Arkport American Legion Post and Corning American Legion Post #746 He had a perpetual twinkle in his eye, which shone brightly when he recalled one of his fondest creations– individual cowbells for the Arkport Cheerleaders who decorated and used them during Arkport Central boys’ basketball games for many years. A private graveside service with military honors is planned at the convenience of the family to celebrate his wonderful ride. Thank you for taking us along with you, Poppa. We will miss you so. To send a remembrance to the family or to light a candle in Darwin’s memory, please visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com. The family is being assisted by Gerald R. Brown, Director at Bender-Brown & Powers Funeral Home of Hornell. Friends wishing may make memorial contributions to the Fremont Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 642, Arkport, NY 14807.
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Darwin Torrence
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