Ricardo Torres, Jr. NHFD

05/12/2021

New Haven Firefighter Ricardo Torres, Jr. died a hero on May 12, 2021 while responding to a fire on Valley Street in New Haven. He was a loving husband to Erica Martinez, a loving and caring father to their sons Oliver Torres and Crew Torres, who is to be born in August.

Ricardo was born in New Haven on November 11, 1990, the son of Cathy Foster-Mendez and the late Ricardo Torres. He followed his passion of becoming a firefighter as a member of Recruit Class 62. He joined the New Haven Fire Department in July 2019 and was assigned to Engine 6, Third Division. It was here that he experienced and enjoyed the camaraderie of his second family and realizing his dream since he was two years old. An amazing son and brother, Ricardo grew up in West Haven and loved playing hockey, going fishing and snowboarding. He also loved cooking and eating.

Besides his wife, mother and sons, Ricardo is also survived by his sister Cayla Mendez, his stepfather Armand Mendez, his grandparents Barbara and Howard “Pop” Rohner, his aunt Robyn Foster and uncles Ralph Foster and Felix Cortes. He also leaves behind his beloved in-laws Adrian and Madeline Martinez who loved Ricardo like their own son, and his sister-in-law Alyssa Martinez.

A Catholic service will be held on Thursday May 20, 2021 at 10 a.m. in St. Mary Church, 5 Hillhouse Avenue, New Haven. Masks are mandatory while in Church. Burial with full departmental honors will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to National Fallen Firefighters Foundation www.firehero.org. Share a memory, view the livestream of the funeral service and sign Ricardo’s guest book online at www.iovanne.com. The Iovanne Funeral Home, Inc. is honored to care for Ricardo and his family.