John Torell Obituary

LTC John "Babe" Philip Torell, U.S. Army (Ret.), 79, of Pooler, Georgia and husband of Jackie Richardson Torell, died Wednesday afternoon, January 14, 2015, at Memorial University Medical Center.

Born in Yonkers, New York, he was a son of the late John Nicholis Torelli and the late Clara Lozzi Torelli. LTC Torell was a communicant and greeter of St. Anne's Catholic Church in Richmond Hill. He graduated from Archbishop Curly High School in Miami, Florida and received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from The South Carolina Military Collage, The Citadel (Class of 1958). LTC Torell served honorably in the United States Army for over 22 years as an Air Defense Artillery Officer. He was a Vietnam War veteran who served in a variety of assignments to include various Command, Strategic and General Officer Staff positions, both within the United States and abroad. LTC Torell was an esteemed member of the Society of Civil Engineers, received a Masters in Engineering Management from the University of Texas, and was a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College.

He was a highly decorated soldier who was the recipient of numerous medals, including the Bronze Star, Air Medals, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, The Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medals, Meritorious Unit Award, Vietnam Service Medal with 6 service stars; Vietnam Campaign Medal with 6 devices, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm, National Defense Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with device.

After his military career, LTC Torell earned his MBA from the University of Northern Colorado and became a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). He was a Financial Planner for more than 30 years with A. G. Edwards and later Wells Fargo Advisers, rising to the position of Associate Vice President for investments and Certified Financial Planning.

LTC Torell was a frequent guest speaker at various educational, professional, social and service organizations functions/venues throughout the state of Colorado. His expert financial advice was quoted many times in both local and national press, and he was often published in various financial periodicals, magazines and journals. LTC Torell was the writer, producer and host of "Ask the Expert", a financial planning themed radio talk show, broadcast on a local station for over 8 years.

He was Past President and Chairman of the Board of the Financial Planning Association of Colorado, a past Faculty member of Blair Junior College in Colorado Springs, Colorado, a Financial Columnist for over 15 years for the Senior Beckon, the local senior newspaper in Colorado Springs. LTC Torell was a volunteer/mentor for Colorado Springs Junior Achievement chapter. He served as Financial Consultant for a number of Professional Non-Profit and Educational organizations and was Past President of the Colorado Springs chapter of the Sertoma Club.

LTC Torell retired to Savannah, after a 30-year career, to spend time with family and friends. He was an active member of the Savannah Volunteer Guards. LTC Torell was an active alumnus and benefactor of South Carolina Military College, The Citadel.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Nicholas L. Torelli.

Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Miriam Jacqueline "Jackie" Richardson Torell of Pooler, Georgia; three sons: SFC John Philip Torell, Jr., U.S. Army (Ret.), and his wife, Susan, of Hinesville, Georgia, CW5 Charles Nicholis Torell, U.S. Army, and his wife, Lana, of Newport News, Virginia, and Abram Bray and his wife, Lisa, of Steven City, Virginia; one granddaughter, Sierra Elizabeth Torell, and two grandsons, Even Bray and Andrew Bray.

A memorial service will be held at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, January 20, 2015, at St. Anne's Catholic Church.

The Rite of Committal will be held Thursday, January 22, 2015, in the Summerall Chapel at 3:00 p.m. The Final Commendation will follow in the Bell Tower, The Citadel. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL, Charleston, SC.

Remembrances: The family would like memorials to be made to The Citadel Foundation, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29409 or at https.//foundation.citadel.edu/donate

A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.