Emanuel "Manny" Torti
March 1, 2014

Emanuel "Manny" Torti, died peacefully in his sleep in his beloved home in Bonnet Shores during the early morning hours of March 1, 2014.  He was 89.  The son of Eleuterio "Larry" Torti and Angelina (DeFusco) he was born July 22, 1924 in Providence.  He spent his adulthood in Johnston and lived summers in Bonnet Shores, Narragansett.

He was the widower of Irene "Blondie" (Guilbault) his wife of sixty years.  He was predeceased in life by his sister Theresa Malone and brothers Anthony "Tony" and Eleuterio "Larry".  He is survived by his sister Dolores Socio of Johnston and his sister-in-law Mae Torti of Johnston. He leaves five children: Angela Sheridan of Johnston, Irene Urquhart of Richmond, Eleuterio "Larry" of Chepachet, Bernadette Ross of Foster and Emanuel "Manny" Torti of Norfolk, Massachusetts; twelve grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many close friends.

Emanuel was one of a kind with boundless generosity, humor and enthusiasm for life. In his teens, he started a construction business and had to make sure his first employee had a driver's license because he was too young to drive his own truck. In his 20's, he bought a two family home for his parents so they could live without the burden of housing expenses. He subsequently invented a trench shoring machine for the installation of sewer pipes. Along the way, he consistently invested in real estate and eventually became a semi- retired landlord in his early 40's. He could be a soft touch; letting a chronically ill tenant live rent free for years. He never had a job, a boss or an alarm clock. He ran for Mayor of Providence a few times because he thought he could add an honest voice while having fun stirring things up. He strongly believed in higher education even though he could only complete high school at night.  He was proud of the fact that each of his five children had college degrees.

Emanuel had a passion for Narragansett Bay. He built his home by hand in Bonnet Shores in 1955. He moved there permanently in 2007.  He also enjoyed his daily routine of frequenting restaurants throughout Rhode Island

The family wishes to express our gratitude to Hospice of South County, South Team especially to Social Worker Sandy, Nancy, RN and Melanie, RN.  We particularly want to thank the four CNA's who tended to Emanuel's needs twenty-four hours a day for the last months of his life.  Without you Geri, Jenna, Michelle and Stephanie, Emanuel could not have lived at home.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Funeral Mass at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 1525 Cranston St., Cranston. at 10:15 am Wednesday March 5, 2014.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Emanuel's memory by sending donations to Cranston Arc, P.O. 20130, Cranston, RI, 02920.

 

Click Here To View Condolence Messages


J F Skeffington Funeral Home
925 Chalkstone Avenue
Providence, RI 02908
401-331-3900