Albert Torri

Albert Louis Torri 

Born in Memphis, Tennessee on January 25, 1928

Departed on April 30, 2024 and resided in Hendersonville, Tennessee

Albert (Al) Torri, 96, of Hendersonville, Tennessee passed April 30, 2024 surrounded by his three daughters. 

The son of Italian immigrants, Al was immensely proud of his heritage. His father, Antonio Torri, arrived in the United States through Ellis Island in November 1922. His mother Adele’s family immigrated to the United States in 1893. Al was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1928. He liked to remind his family that Torri means “towers” in Italian. He loved his family’s Italian dishes. One of his favorites was stufa, a beef cooked for hours in red wine served with ravioli or noodles which he enjoyed serving every Christmas.  

The first in his family to attend college, Al graduated from Notre Dame University on an accelerated program. Forever after, he was an avid Notre Dame football fan (usually to everyone’s chagrin when Notre Dame played UT). Al joined the Air Force reserve in 1949 and served his country on active duty during the Korean War.  

Al was a wonderful husband, a loving father, a dedicated son, and a caring big brother to his two younger sisters Carolyn and Linda. He married his beloved wife Ruth (nee Faquin) in October, 1953 in Memphis where they both grew up. Together they raised three daughters, Dale, Diane, and Wendy. Al was so proud of each of “his girls” and their accomplishments. He was equally proud of his six grandchildren who called him “Ba.” During the last seven years, he enjoyed spending time with his five great-grandchildren.

Al worked hard all his life to provide and take care of his family. He was an auditor and manager for General Electric for over three decades. After retiring from GE, Al became a World Book Encyclopedia salesman. In preparation for his new career, he read the entire encyclopedia from cover to cover.  

Al and Ruth’s home on Old Hickory Lake brought them much peace in their retirement. They created beautiful gardens together at Summit Lane, where Al could precisely name every tree, plant, and flower on the nearly two acres of their lake view property. One of his most treasured plants was the fig tree brought to America by his grandmother when she came to the country by boat. It thrived under his care and he vouched that its figs were the richest you would ever taste. Their home was the place where they loved for all the family to gather, with nearly twenty people sitting around the dining room table for holiday dinners. 

Al had a wealth of knowledge and applied his methodical mind to the mastery of many hobbies over the years, including raising tropical fish, building model airplanes, fishing, and later in life making his very own sourdough bread recipe which he had down to a science. He loved sharing his knowledge with his grandchildren who especially enjoyed learning about and eating “Ba Bread.” 

Al had an exceptional voice and singing brought him much joy. He was a tenor in the choir at Saint Joseph of Arimathea Episcopal Church where Al and Ruth were active members for over 30 years. He shared his love of music with the entire family, participating in numerous sing-alongs over the years. 

Albert was the loving “guardian” of our family. He taught us through his example the qualities of love, loyalty, honor, and integrity. He was our “torre,” the tower of strength and support on which our family relied. 

Albert is survived by his three daughters: Dale Torri-Safdie (Robert Safdie), Diane Torri Peek (Eric Peek), and Wendy Torri (Rita Duran); his sisters Carolyn Townsend (Buddy Townsend) and Linda Torri; his six grandchildren: Ben Mercer (Anna Mercer), Rachel Reed (David Reed), Chris Mercer, Ariel Safdie (James Bargent), David Safdie (Rita Wang), and Loren Safdie (Danny Clark); and five great grandchildren: Aubrielle and Asher Mercer, Simon and Elaina Safdie, and Adela Bargent Safdie. 

Al was preceded in death by his wife Ruth Faquin Torri, parents Antonio Torri and Adele Torri, and grandson Jonathan Edward Safdie.

The family would like to thank the employees at Vitality Living in Hendersonville whose excellent care of our parents since 2012 made a wonderful difference in their lives. The warmth, dedication, and friendship you provided while caring for our parents is much appreciated. We also thank the members of Aveanna Hospice who provided additional end of life care for Al. 

A Celebration of Life for both Albert and Ruth will be held on Friday, July 12 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Vitality Living, 419 East Main Street, Hendersonville, Tnennessee. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Al's memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee (www.stjude.org).