Luis A. Torres Jr.

Luis A. Torres Jr, 58, tenacious of spirit, heart, and mind, was taken away from us by a long-term illness on March 30, 2023 after putting up the good fight. A Brooklyn native of Puerto Rican heritage, Luis spent a life dedicated to others, the community, and those who are survivors of clergy abuse. A proud graduate of Princeton University, Luis went on to achieve his law degree from NYU. While serving in New York City government, Luis was involved in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks escorting dignitaries and other visiting officials to the World Trade Center site, in an environment which led to his rare cancer many years later.

Luis spent his youth involved in church activities and many years volunteering and working with the developmentally disabled. Through this work he met the love of his life, Barbara, as well as many who would become lifelong friends and family.

With wanderlust in his blood, Luis had a deep love of adventure. Rollercoasters, biking, and travel, especially to places with sandy beaches and clear blue waters, were among his favorites. A life-long fan of Disney, comics, and all things in the DC Universe (although he never met a Marvel movie he wouldn’t watch), Luis had a depth of knowledge that he would joyfully share with others at any opportunity. His enthusiasm was highly contagious. He was a certifiable Apple devotee. But of all things he loved and treasured, his children, Ally, Becca, and Juli, were the center of his universe.

Luis also courageously served in a unique leadership in the Roman Catholic Church as a survivor of abuse, promoting healing through a Christian Restorative Justice Initiative which he co-founded, called Spirit Fire. He served faithfully for 20 years on the Independent Review Board of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Luis was a leading speaker and facilitator in many events, including at an unprecedented day-of-encounter between bishops and survivors. Because of his unflinching belief in the possibility for healing and hope, Luis was invited as one of only two survivors to address the full United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2018, following the McCarrick scandal. There he shared the story of his ordeal to promote recognition and reconciliation for the impact of abuse on survivors, their families, and the whole Church. Many survivors and their families live healthier and safer lives today because they have been helped by Luis’s pastoral counseling and encouragement. Many Church clergy and leaders have also been helped to gain the insights and courage to engage with survivors and their families in a dialogue which is healing for all participants.

Most of all, Luis will be remembered for his legacy of boundless generosity, love and laughter. An unrelentingly kind, charming, and joyful individual, he helped everyone he could and always knew how to bring a smile to someone’s face. He would give anyone the shirt off his back and it would likely be a Life Is Good tee shirt. He loved to share his enthusiasm, which was boundless, for anything from musical car rides to Six Flags to Superman. To many, his own character was positively heroic, going out of his way to aid and support anyone in need, especially his loved ones. The reasons he is so beloved are numerous and obvious to any he met.

Luis is survived by his loving wife and three beautiful daughters; his brother and sister along with their spouses; two sister-in-laws; his mother-in-law; and, a large number of wonderful nieces and nephews. His parents predeceased him.

In lieu of flowers, we invite friends and family to donate to the Luis A. Torres, Jr., Esq. Sponsorship Fund, which will provide abuse survivors and their family members up to a week of rest, prayer, and pastoral care though Spirit Fire, a not for profit organization which was co-founded by Luis. https://spiritfirelive.wordpress.com/donate-4/

A visitation for Luis will be held Friday, March 31, 2023, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Casey McCallum Rice South Shore Funeral Home, 30 Nelson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10308. A funeral service will occur Saturday, April 1, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. Patrick's Place, 53 St. Patrick's Place, Staten Island, NY 10306. A committal service will occur Saturday, April 1, 2023 from 12:30 PM to 12:45 PM at Resurrection Cemetery, 361 Sharrott Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10309.