Richard "Dick" Mario Torrisi

Richard "Dick" Mario Torrisi, a greatly admired and loved man, was 94 years old when he passed away peacefully on April 6, 2025 at Denver Hospice Facility. He was born June 8, 1930 in Mount Vernon, New York, the son of immigrant parents Mario and Concetta Torrisi, during the Great Depression. He is survived by his wife Patricia Giuffra, his first wife, Marie Torrisi, and their 3 daughters, Dina Torrisi, Carla Torrisi Jackson, and Christa Huff, 5 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, 2 step children, Jim and Lisa Giuffra, 1 step grandchild, and 1 step great grandchild.

He was so proud of his parents who loved being Americans and raised their family of 5 children, while working hard and providing for them even during such hard times. He loved his youth as he loved his life. He maintained those same ethics all of his life after he married and had children.

A true Renaissance man, he had intense curiosity and tenacity with everything from science, art and nature. He was a prolific writer on many subjects including prose & poems. Four words from his daughter that described him well, adventurer, educator, protector and poet. 

He served in the US Army from 1951 to 1954 as an Education Specialist and Training Director, and later as a Correspondent and Public Relations Specialist. 

He had more than one career, the longest at Fuller and Company, from 1969 to 1988 as a commercial real estate broker, a legend some called him later. Some of his specialties were putting assemblages of properties, and many of the buildings in downtown Denver were preserved and part of his deals during those years. From his previous experience "He spoke the language of developers, investors, retailers and corporate executives". 

Other careers were Public Relations Director, Kentucky Tuberculosis Association, owner of a retail Sports Center, executive with United Way, and executive director of the organizing committee for the XII Winter Olympic Games, Denver, 1976. Denver was selected as the host city, but later declined.

Sports: skiing, jeeping, scuba diving, mountain climbing (calling himself a "frustrated eagle" because he couldn't fly).

He has left a big hole in all of our lives. Rest in peace dear man and fly with the eagles.

If you would like, in lieu of flowers or gifts, his family requests that you donate to a charity of your choice in his memory.