Ernesto S. Torres Sr.

Siempre En Nuestros Corazones.

Ernesto S. Torres, Sr. was a Servant of God, a Christian believer of the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, the Son of God, we call Christ Jesus, who became incarnate for our salvation and the Holy Spirit. On Tuesday, January 12, 2021, he celebrated his heavenly birthday as he entered his eternal home in paradise at the age of 81.

Ernesto was born on February 17, 1939, in Monterrey, Mexico, to Ernesto Flores Torres and Maria Luisa Chavez Sierra. He spent his youth with his Grandmother Maria Francisca “Mama Panchita” who raised, nurtured and loved him dearly. Ernesto worked as a carpenter with his father at a young age. As a young man, he worked at the Hotel Ancira in Monterrey, MX as a room service waiter. Ernesto came to San Antonio in 1960 with his father and worked at the St. Anthony Hotel becoming the youngest Maître d’ at the age of 21. While working at St. Anthony Hotel, he met his beloved Graciela, the love of his life and married her on August 30, 1964. Their love was like Romeo and Juliet; unmeasurable. Truly the purest form of love. Purest of a Holy Matrimony. He had a God given talent for writing, and throughout their 55 years of marriage, recited over 100 poems to the Divine Holy Trinity, Graciela, his family and friends.

He taught French cooking at Handy Andy and worked for Chez Ardid, a fine French restaurant in San Antonio. Ernesto’s love for gourmet food lead him to pursue entrepreneurship of the family-owned Ernesto’s Restaurant on October 1, 1981. Ernesto’s work ethics was outstanding. Working hard along with Graciela, their children and grandchildren to serve unique meals and service for 42 years. His own unique recipes included 9 signature butter sauces, gourmet grilled, baked, fried seafood, Mexican and beef specialties, scrumptious appetizers, fine desserts and a full bar service. Ernesto’s Restaurant was his second joy in life, God and family being his first. How he loved making people happy with his unique gourmet meals. He dedicated his life to bringing joy in his home and his workplace.

Ernesto’s dream was to have children with his beloved Graciela which were blessed with two daughters, two sons, six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He succeeded at being a loving, caring, devoted, affectionate father, grandfather, great grandfather. He was our best friend. Ernesto was a truehearted family man and his family meant everything to him. His family always said it was a special blessing to have experienced daily from birth to his last days his own unique, kind, tender love. He was sweet, thoughtful, fun and delightful, who enjoyed his family. His heart would burst in delight joy to be around his wife and family. Ernesto expressed affection in his extra special way, it was distinctive, a “JESUS” kind of love, his family felt fortunate, privilege and was honored to be blessed with his pure unconditional agape love. He genuinely loved from his soul, spirit and heart. He communicated his love vocally with his touch, hugs, kisses, smile, jokes and laughter. His astonishing love was essential for us; something we cherished.

His family’s joy was his joy. He always wanted to see his family healthy, happy and honoring God by loving and helping others. Everyone could see, feel and “experience the love” he had for his beloved Grace and family, and for his church and restaurant family too. Ernesto was also a wonderful Brother-in-Christ, Son-in-law, Compadre, Godfather/Padrino, uncle, neighbor and friend. His distinguish, very special kind of love and support for family, friends, and his community became the foreground of his genuine character. It is who he was; his daily gift to us was his loving heart and sweet nature. He always shined his light to glorify God’s goodness. We all felt it!

His heart lived for Jesus and his family. Protecting and being close to his family played a leading role in his life. Beneath his gentle appearance lived a strong Godly Man of Faith motivated and equipped by the Holy Spirit to overcome any storm in his life. Being courageous, brave and victorious was natural for him because of his trust in the Holy Trinity. Ernesto will be cherished forever and remembered as a Servant of God, a humble man, a romantic loving husband, devoted Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather and Best Friend. His daughter’s girlfriends would call him Papa Torres or Papi and his son’s friends admired him. He was loved by all!

Our precious Ernesto lived to honor the Holy Trinity. He was faithful and his character shined with the joy of the Lord. Oh, and that smile of his: it radiated a room! He was light in the darkness. He was devoted and loyal to his wife and family. Ernesto was a happy man, he craved love, harmony, peace and tranquility. He was graceful, wise, humble, gifted and talented. He had a way of showing affection and was a true gentleman, noble, pleasant, and fun. Ernesto was ambitious, hardworking, organized, practical and dependable; always desiring to give a lending hand. Forever respectful of others, friendly, humorous, kind and generous to all.

It was an honor for Ernesto and Graciela to praise, worship, and serve their Heavenly Father as Eucharistic Ministers at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes of the Southwest and Tepeyac de San Antonio. Ernesto read the Word of God so eloquently at church, he had a very special way of reading with passionate emotion the scriptures at Sunday Masses. They volunteered every Sunday after Mass to serve food in the reception hall. His love for the Holy Trinity and the Blessed Virgin Mary was expressed in many church plays. Ernesto and Graciela had a special friendship bond with their fellow church members, their Compadres; it was a beautiful brotherhood.

He attended a Men’s in Christ bible study at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church every Saturday and had a special loving relationship with his Brothers-in-Christ. He would often go to the Women’s in Christ bible group and recite religious poems to the ladies. Ernesto was a humble servant by putting others' needs before his own. Ernesto taught his family humility by serving friends, family and neighbors to extend the love of God. His daily devotion to prayer always included his family, friends or a person he had just met. His favorite devotional book was “Jesus Calling” and he also enjoyed reading daily the Spanish version “Jesús te llama”. Ernesto’s faith was unshakable, and his trust was deeply profound in the Divine Trinity. Through his faith, he became a visionary, a leader, and a respected member of his community.

He loved to sing with Mariachi and his favorite was Los Soberanos. He would often sing at family weddings, family gatherings or entertain at Ernesto’s. He radiated a room with his love for song and his charm. He enjoyed traveling and visited Acapulco, Cancun, Cozumel, Tampico, California, Las Vegas, and cruises with his beloved Graciela and family. His favorite places were Monterrey and Allende, Mexico where he loved to visit family and any casino because he loved playing slots machines, Texas Lottery and scratch offs.

Ernesto always invited and welcomed our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as the guest of honor to any gathering. He gave Him the highest praise and glorified His name for all his blessings, especially seeing his family united and celebrating life together. He looked forward to Sunday “Fun Days” to worship, enjoy his family, have lunch at Los Norteńos Pollos Asados, Cheddars, Texas Roadhouse, Paesanos, barbecue or Chinese, a movie, play a game of Loteria, Right Left Center or Aggravation.

Ernesto enjoyed making his own red or green hot sauce and would take some in a container to his favorite places. He would say, “the hotter the better”. He grew his favorite hot pepper which was chili pequin. And enjoyed habanero and chiles toreados. Ernesto's favorite meal was a delicious Mexican breakfast or taco with an awesome corn or flour tortilla. Ernesto’s son, Sergio was his daily breakfast companion, and both had a love for a great breakfast to include an overload of hot sauce, eggs, chorizo, refried beans, papitas, barbacoa, chicharron, migas, tortillas and coffee. They were often seen at Lucy’s, Rosa’s, Jim’s and many other local taco houses.

Ernesto is survived by his four children and Son-in-Law who he considered a son of his own: Belinda Grace Torres, Maribel T. Martinez, Ernesto S. Torres, Jr., Esteban Torres and Rene V. Martinez. He loved his grandchildren: Joseph and Daniella Robles, Raul and Crystalrose R. Vargas, Ernesto S. Torres III, Sebastian Torres, LuzGraciela Torres and Esteban Noel Torres. He treasured his great-grandchildren: Raul Giovanni Vargas, Khloe Sunshine Vargas, Heavenly Grace Vargas, Edward Rene Vargas, Ahren Arguijo, Alexandria Robles-Renteria and Anissa R. Robles. Brothers, Aurelio Torres Florez, Pedro David Torres, Oscar Torres. Sisters, Maria Nelly Marroquin Chávez, Maria Francisca Torres Rubio, Gracie Torres, Martha Torres Chávez, Sonia Ernestina Torres.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Graciela B. Torres, his Mother Maria Luisa Chavez Sierra, Father Ernesto Flores Torres, Stepmother Belen Gomez Torres, Grandmother Maria Francisca Flores vda. de Torres, Sister Myrna Mireya Marroquin Chavez, Brother Lizandro Marroquin Chavez.

Ernesto will be forever loved and missed beyond measure. Paradise is a better place with his arrival and reunited with his beloved Graciela once again. Our parents are the Wind beneath our Wings who will watch over us and live through us. Ernesto and Graciela definitely had the nine attributes of a person living in accord with the Holy Spirit, as written in Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Thank you to everyone who prayed for Ernesto and are praying for us. We pray all the promised blessings in the Living Word of God for you and your family. With love and appreciation, the Torres, Martinez, Robles, and Vargas Families.

Psalm 103:13

As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

Proverbs 17:6

Grandchildren are the crown of old men, And the glory of sons is their fathers.

Matthew 5:16

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Tuesday, January 26, 2021 Viewing, Rosary, Mass Celebration, Interment

St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church

1710 Clower St., San Antonio, Texas 78201

210.735.5269

Viewing Beloved Family Only 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Viewing Beloved Extended Family/Friends 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Divine Mercy - Deacon David Zamora 10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Mass Celebration - Father Will Combs 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Interment Immediately following Mass Celebration 1:00 p.m.

San Jose Burial Park

8235 Mission Rd., San Antonio, Texas 78214

210.923-0272

The Torres, Martinez, Robles and Vargas families thank you in advance for your beautiful loving prayers, condolences, support, cards, texts, messages, flowers, plants and gifts.

You are encouraged to wear lavender or purple which was Papito’s favorite color.

*Special Note From Family*

To our dearest family and friends,

Since our beloved father/Papito enjoyed celebrating life and due to COVID restrictions and limitations, and for the safety and wellbeing of all, we as family have decided to have a reception honoring his life at a later date.

Papito’s favorite florist

Flowers by Grace (flowersbygrace.net)

4503 West Avenue, San Antonio, Texas 78213

210.685.1614

All flowers must be sent by 5 p.m. on Monday, January 25, 2021

Sunset Northwest Funeral Home

6321 Bandera Rd. S A, Texas 78238 210.521.2111