Anselmo Torrens Font

Anselmo survived two knee replacements, a hip repair & a stroke, but was no match for covid19! He passed away from complications of the virus at Melech House in Temple Terrace with his wife, Carol by his side. He is survived by his wife, his two sisters, nieces & nephews both here & in Spain. He also leaves behind his animals, Happy, Peti & Sister that he loved dearly. He had a life well lived, traveling from his home in Spain to Switzerland (Gstaad Palace), London (The Ritz) and The Bahamas (King’s Inn, Sheraton, El Casino). He & Carol lived in Spain for several years after they married until a friend called with a job offer in Tampa. Traveler that he was, they packed up and moved again. He was the Food & Beverage Manager of Jim Walter’s Tampa Airport Resort (where International Plaza is located now). He was responsible for feeding the first few teams of the new Buccaneer team and made some good friends there, including Abe Gibron. After that property sold, he went to work for Jennings & Company & travelled to Spain, working as an interpreter. When that assignment ended, he returned to Tampa Where he learned from another friend that Ray Campo was looking to sell his restaurant in Temple Terrace. They worked out a sale and Anselmo, and later, Carol, ran Cafe Don Jose until their retirement in 2001 when they sold the business. His family misses him greatly, his wonderful cooking, his love of music, all animals & his bright blue eyes. There is a hole in our hearts! Special thanks to Paul & Laurie Sydow (Nephew), family in Spain, Dr. Phillip Atigre, Jennifer Terry, Mariel Fonseca and the many others who helped make his last few years of his life as good as they could be. There will be no service as Anselmo wished. Please celebrate life & donate to your favorite charity or animal rescue. Thank you Carol N Torrens