Carl Thomas Torchia

Funeral services for Carl Thomas Torchia, 83, of Gilmer will be held 10:00 A. M. Wednesday, July 2, 2014, at Summerfield United Methodist Church with Bro. Chris Charles officiating and Speaker, Carla Elliot. Burial will follow at Summerfield Cemetery under the direction of Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer. Mr. Torchia passed away on Saturday, June 28, 2014, in Tyler. Carl Thomas Torchia was born on September 3, 1930, in Detroit Michigan to Thomas and Dorothy Mae Gust Torchia. He served in the U. S. Air Force and was a Radar Systems Specialist for the FAA before his retirement. Mr. Torchia was a member of Summerfield United Methodist Church and a Senior President of the Senior Citizens group. On June 3rd, 2000, he married Martha Jean Drennan Torchia and she survives him. He is also survived by his son, Craig Torchia of Hawaii; daughters, Carla Elliott and husband, Larry of High Island, Texas; Cheryl Torchia of Gilmer; grandchildren, Blake Bledsoe and Ciara Torchia; stepsons, Gary Drennan and wife, Frances of Rosewood, Mike Drennan and wife, Becky of Latch, Robbie Drennan and wife, Amy of Gilmer; sisters, Joan Nierath and husband Ernie, Maralyn Beaudoin and husband Bob and two half-sisters; numerous nieces, nephews and step grandchildren. Mr. Torchia is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Eileen Straschewski; brother, Jack Torchia and two half-brothers. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 1, 2014, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer.