Obituary of Henry P. Torcellini

HENRY PETER TORCELLINI, EASTFORD-Henry "Hank" Torcellini, 68, of Westford Road, died June 24, 2009, in Hartford Hospital, following a massive stroke. He was born June 20, 1941, in New Haven, CT, the son of Henry Torcellini and Mary (Regula) Torcellini. He was the husband of forty-five years of Dorothy "Dottie" (Buell) Torcellini. In addition to Dottie, he is survived by two sons and their families: Paul and his wife Julia, Micah, and Isaac Torcellini of Kittredge, CO, and Rob and his wife Deb, Megan, and Sarah Torcellini of Eastford; sister: Pat Torcellini of Dunedin, FL, and stepmother: Sue Torcellini of Palm Harbor, FL. He was predeceased by his parents and a sister, Paula Saddler. This humble, gentle man will be greatly missed by his extended family, coworkers and colleagues, and many friends. Hank was a graduate of WPI and Northeastern University and was a Professional Engineer, practicing civil engineering for over 30 years at Gardner & Peterson Associates in Tolland CT. Hank had a lifelong commitment to public service. He had over 75 years of combined volunteer time on various boards and committees in the Town of Eastford, including Planning Commission, Inland Wetlands Committee, School Building Committee, Town Office Building Expansion Commission, and Plan of Conservation Development Committee, as well as Town Representative on the Board of Directors for the Northeast District Department of Health and many policy committees. He was a member of the Congregational Church of Eastford, where he was a Sunday Worship Service usher for over twenty-five years, a Trustee, and pancake flipper extraordinaire at the Woodstock Fair Blueberry Pancake Booth. Hank designed and built his own home and loved caring for it and the surrounding yard and gardens. He and Dottie enjoyed traveling and particularly enjoyed experiences in the great American West. He enjoyed the company and eccentricities of cats, good food, and a diverse array of activities, such as the annual family croquet tournament, playing cribbage, woodworking, kayaking, and helping his sons with their respective projects-of-the-moment; but his greatest love was spending time with his cherished grandchildren. A Celebration of Hank's Life will be held Sunday, July 5, 2009 at 1:00 p.m., at the Congregational Church of Eastford, 8 Church Road, Eastford. There are no calling hours. Donations may be made to the Congregational Church of Eastford Organ Fund, P.O. Box 177, Eastford CT 06242 or Eastford Independent Fire Department, P.O. Box 333, Eastford CT 06242. Arrangements by Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam, CT. To share a memory with his family "Light a Candle" at www.smithandwalkerfh.com