Sebastiano "Sam" Torre

Rotterdam – Sebastiano (Sam) Torre passed away at home on November 23rd, 2017 after an eight year courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born in New York City on September 23rd, 1928. In the early 1930’s his parents and he moved to Rotterdam where he lived his entire life. In 1946 he joined the U.S. Army and served with the occupation forces of Japan for 3 years. He was assigned to an intelligence services group and placed in charge of an office of 40 soldiers responsible for mail oversight and censorship into and out of the city of Tokyo. Chosen for officer’s school, he declined in order to return home to assist his mother and 2 younger sisters as his father had become quite ill. Upon his return, he completed his masonry trade apprenticeship. Within a few years this led to the formation of the Torre Construction Company in the early 1950’s which served the Capital District for over 45 years until his retirement in 1997. Sam was not only a highly skilled mason but an excellent general building contractor. He completed many commercial projects including both new structures and major building additions and renovations. Just some of his projects include the Our Lady Queen of Peace (formerly OLA) gymnasium and classroom addition, Ballston Lake Fire Station, Colonie Town Hall addition, Rotterdam District 2 Fire Station addition, Stanford Heights Fire Station renovation, City of Schenectady Municipal Golf Course club house, Delmonico’s Restaurant (formerly Grimaldi’s), the Turf Tavern addition, the Thatcher State Park swimming pool renovation and a major portion of the Rotterdam Mall (now ViaPort) along with many other private and public facilities. Yet no project was too small as he would always find time to help family, friends and associates with their residential modifications. Sam was known by area architectural firms as a problem solver and both a fair and accommodating contractor whose driving desire was to always complete the project to the owner’s satisfaction. Sam is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Catherine (Donovan) Torre whom he married on June 14th, 1952. Catherine (Kay) was his foundation enabling him to bring forth his kindness and generosity to family and close friends. He is also survived by his two younger sisters, Josephine (Torre) Palmerino and Michelina Torre, both of Rotterdam. He is also survived by his four children, Anthony Torre (his wife Claudia), Susan (Torre) Caldwell (her husband Timothy), James Torre (his wife Sharon), and Cathy (Torre) Wilson (her husband Joseph). Sam is also survived by his 11 grandchildren, Matthew, Michelle, Michael, Katie, Meghan, Erin, Brendan, Samantha, Emily, Torre and Morgan and his 4 great grandchildren, Landon, Brooke, Ryleigh and Logan. Sam was the son of the late Antonio and Grazia Torre of Rotterdam, NY. It is requested there be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial, to which relatives and friends are invited, will be celebrated on Monday, November 27th at 10am at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 210 Princetown Rd. in Rotterdam. Interment will follow at St. Cyril and Method Cemetery. Sam’s wife and entire family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the Community Hospice and Eddy Visiting Nurses Association. An extra special thank you is given to Dr. Roberta Miller for her excellent care and deep compassion in support of Sam. Memorial contributions in Sam’s memory can be made to the Albany Medical Center Department of Neurology, 43 New Scotland Ave., Albany, NY 12208.