Edward Joseph Torres

Edward Joseph Torres, our dear husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and loyal friend died suddenly and quietly at home on March 29, 2026. Ed was 86 years old. Ed was known for being a dedicated teacher, coach and mentor for over 40 years. Eddie as he was known to his family and friends when he was growing up, was the son of Joseph and Josephine Torres. He grew up in San Francisco. His family included 5 older sisters and one younger sister. He went to Lowell High School where he was the starting halfback for the Indians. Noted in his high school yearbook: he was a good conversationalist; and he planned to go into education. After graduation, Ed spent a few months at City College of San Francisco, but left to join the Air Force, serving at various stateside bases and in the Azores for the years of 1958 to 1962. While in the Air Force Ed pursued additional interests in his spare time. He worked as a disc jockey on the base, as well as taught ballroom dancing for the Arthur Murray Dance Studios while stationed in Savannah, GA. After discharge, Ed returned to San Francisco and began working toward completing his goal of becoming a teacher. It was while attending San Francisco State College that Ed met Roberta, his future wife. Roberta and Ed met in 1963 and married a year later in 1964. They welcomed their first son, Ted in Dec of 1964. While attending school, Ed worked as an insurance inspector and hated every minute of it. He graduated from San Francisco State with his major in English Literature, and a credential for teaching in Secondary Education. It was before graduation that their second son, Robert was born in 1969. Ed's teaching career began in 1971 in Lindsay, CA where he not only taught classes for reading improvement, but coached Freshmen football and basketball. He taught and coached in Lindsay for 3 years before taking a position as English teacher and coach at Redwood High School in Visalia in 1974. While teaching and coaching in the early years at Redwood a 3rd son, Andrew was born in 1976. In 1982 Ed left coaching behind and concentrated on Academics. He became the 10th grade honor English teacher and the only teacher of American Literature. Ed was interested in the national and State Avid programs and began developing the program at Redwood. Through his efforts Redwood was named an Avid National Demonstration School. Ed retired from Redwood in 2002. After retirement Ed went to work for the Fresno County Department of Education and continued to mentor Avid teachers in the six-county area for an additional 13 years. It was Ed's voice Visalia heard announcing at the Redwood football games at Mineral King Bowl for decades well into his retirement years. Ed is preceded in death by his father and mother, Joesph and Josephine Torres; his sisters, Lillian McNesby, Stella Ergas, Elvira Perez, Carmen Gonzales and Corrine Sanchez; and his Grandson, Orion Torres. His one surviving sister, Phyllis Nicholson, died one day after Ed. Ed is survived by his wife of 62 years, Roberta; his 3 sons, Edward (Ted) Joseph Jr; Robert Anthony, and Andrew Glen; granddaughter Elodie Marian Torres, Grandson Clark Joseph Torres, their mother, Renee Conrad; and many dearly loved nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind Birdie Lou, MacDuff and Maggie Mae the family's current generation of pups who also loved him. A celebration of Ed's life will take place on May 16, 2026 at 1:00 pm at the Salser and Dillard Funeral Chapel's Life event Center. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Edward Joseph Torres

October 11, 1939 - March 29, 2026