NAUGATUCK – Stephen E. Torla, 61, of Perock Lane, passed away after a long illness, on Monday, December 13, 2010 at Yale New Haven Hospital.
Mr. Torla was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury, CT on February 26, 1949, son of Mr. Edward Torla and the late Mary (Perock) Torla. He attended Saint Francis Grammar School and Naugatuck High School. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Quinnipiac College and his M.P.A. Public Administration degree from the University of New Haven. Mr. Torla served a 30 plus year career as Director and Vice President of Human Resources primarily in the health care industry including St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Johnson Memorial Corp., Elmcrest Behavioral Health Network, Hartford Behavioral Health, VNA Services of CT and several other corporations. In addition, Mr. Torla was an Instructor in the field at Post College and Sacred Heart University.
Stephen was a long time member of the Wallingford Rod & Gun Club where he volunteered for the Special Olympics fishing derby. He was also recognized by the Easter Seals Organization for his community service. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and leaves behind his treasured bird dog and special friend, Brea.
Stephen will be greatly missed. All who had the good fortune to know him, recognized his strong virtues of perseverance, patience, kindness and love of family.
He leaves his father, Edward Torla of Naugatuck, sister Joan (Torla) Dulski, brother-in-law Gerald and nephew and godson, Jay Dulski all of New Canaan, CT; three children, Matthew, Jordan and Emily all of Wallingford, CT; aunt Catherine (Perock) Hitchcock, uncle Harold Perock and wife, Aunt Lois and several cousins.
A private family service was held on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at the Buckmiller Brothers Funeral Home 82 Fairview Ave. Naugatuck. A Catholic service was given by Father Michael Slusz of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Naugatuck.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 26 Broadway, 14th Floor New York, NY 10004.
