Marcelino Torruella, Sr.

(Ret.) SFC Marcelino Torruella Sr. (Matt), 84, of Prince George, Virginia ended his Earthly journey on Friday, February 20, 2015 after an extensive period of declining health. When he was a boy, Marcelino's aunt in the U.S. asked her brother to send one of his children to come to the U.S. to live with her. He agreed and said that he was ‘putting his best foot forward' by sending young Marcelino. Nine year old Marcelino traveled from Ponce, Puerto Rico to the U. S. by ship and lived in New York with his aunt and her husband until the age of 20. In 1950 with the Korean War coming under way, an internal force urged him to register with the United States Army. This was the beginning of 25 years of dedicated service to his country. Fighting valiantly with the infantry, Marcelino survived 14 months on the front lines. His travels with the US Army took him all around the United States, Japan, and Germany. In 1956, while stationed in Schweinfurt, Germany, he met Hildegard Ramming. This meeting changed his life forever. They wed in the spring of 1958. During the next seven years, with the birth of their five children, Marcelino now had an additional name, Daddy. In 1966 the Torruella family moved to Ft. Lee and in 1970 Marcelino was deployed to Vietnam serving with the Quartermaster Corps. In 1974 he ended his military career stationed at Ft. Lee, Virginia but had already begun what would become a 25 year career with Sears. In 1995, due to health reasons, Marcelino had to retire from Sears. The year 1978 ushered in Marcelino's first grandchild and added yet another name to Marcelino's roll call, that of Papa. Fifteen grandchildren and twenty-three great grandchildren later (and still counting), the name Papa became one spoken most. Throughout his twenty-one yearlong health battles, he maintained his high standards of faith, family, and fun. There were very few things that could keep ‘Papa' from attending Sunday Mass where he made sure to greet fellow parishioners with a handshake and a smile. The legacy he leaves behind with the charge of ‘We must give of ourselves in order to receive.' is being fulfilled by his children, their children, and their children's children. He shared with his family and friends his giving spirit during everyday visits by his grands and great grands; Papa was known to always have treats ready for them. He also spent many afternoons hosting dominos parties and spending hours playing German Rummy with his children and grandchildren. One of Matt's passions was the game of baseball. Whether in the stands or at home watching from his recliner, his devotion could be heard in his passionate responses to the game. This led to 4 of his children playing either baseball or softball and his oldest child also becoming an ‘uber' baseball fan. His passion for the Brooklyn Dodgers, who later became the LA Dodgers, was known by all in the family. He could answer any baseball question about not only his Dodgers but just about any team or player. His passion was such that his wife, Hildegard, also began speaking baseball! To honor Matt's devotion to the Dodgers, his grandson Jonathan vows to pick up the Dodger banner in his honor. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Luis Torruella of Prince George Virginia. He is survived by his loving and devoted family. Cherishing nearly 57 years of marriage is his wife, Hildegard Torruella. His remaining children are his three daughters, Carmen Berestecky of Killeen, Texas, Petra Torruella-Meyers of Petersburg, Virginia, and Maria Torruella of Prince George, Virginia; and his son, Marcelino Torruella Jr. (Roswitha) of Loxstedt, Germany. His remaining siblings are Miquel Torruella and Pedro Vargas of Connecticut, and Genoveva Torruella of Puerto Rico. His grandchildren are Marisa Berestecky and family, Jonathan Berestecky (Sarah) and family, Christopher Berestecky, Katharina Wade (Rex) and family, Kenny Meyers, Matthew Torruella (Adrienne) and family, Michael Meyers and family, Laura Meyers (Adrien) and family, Tony Griffin and family, Barry Griffin (Yanna) and family, Joseph Torruella and family, Carleigh Edwards (Brian) and family, Jennifer Voskoboynik (Feliks) and family, Patricia Torruella, and Emily Torruella. Many people were involved in Marcelino Torruella's care and the family would like to thank them all. Special thanks are being sent to his Oncology Care Team and Infusion Care Team at the McGuire Veterans Hospital; and Melissa Williams, who spent the last five years providing him with devoted in home care. A visitation service for Marcelino Torruella Sr. will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2015 from 6 to 8:00 p.m. with a vigil service beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Petersburg Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 3935 S. Crater Road, Petersburg, Virginia 23805. A Funeral Mass will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, February 27, 2015 at Memorial Chapel, Building 10600, 1901 Sisisky Blvd., Ft. Lee, Virginia 23801 with Chaplain David Kirk, Celebrant. Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday at the Virginia Veterans Cemetery at Amelia, 10300 Pridesville Road, Amelia, Virginia 23002. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.

Visitation Details

Thursday, February 26th, 2015 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Service Information

Friday, February 27th, 2015 9:00am, Memorial Chapel

Interment Details

Virginia Veterans Cemetery at Amelia