Joseph R. de la Torre

A sixth generation Santa Barbaran, Joseph R. de la Torre at age 86, passed away on October 24th, 2014 in peace and surrounded by his family. He was born on August 31, 1928 to Joseph B. de la Torre and Mary (Encinas) de la Torre. His great, great grandmother, Maria de los Angeles Cota, was the daughter of Don Pablo Antonio Cota, one of the founding officers to arrive in Santa Barbara in 1782. She was born in the Presidio in 1790 and later married Don Jose Joaquin de la Torre, a Spanish soldier who arrived in Santa Barbara with Father Junipero Serra traveling from Monterey, California in 1801.Joe attended local schools, graduating from SBHS in 1946. He earned eight varsity letters in three sports and was named Best All-Around Athlete in his senior year. He played for the Kandy Kids baseball team and attended UCSB on Riviera Campus where he played basketball as well. After serving in Korea with the US Marine Corps, Joe completed his degree at UCSB. He worked for his family's business and Aerophysics Development Corp in Goleta before embarking on his true calling in teaching. Joe had a gift for teaching, counseling and molding young people. He began at Carpinteria Junior High in 1957. He moved to La Colina Jr. High in 1962 where he served as a teacher, counselor and assistant Principal for nineteen years. Before his retirement in 1988, Joe served for seven years as the assistant Principal at his alma mater SBHS. Joe's legacy is highlighted by the many students that he positively affected in his career. He was often approached around town by young men and women who thanked him for his influence on their success in life. Joe was also very active in his community and served with many organizations, including as President of the Santa Barbara 20-30 Club; as a Board member of the Santa Barbara Citizen's Council on Crime; the SBHS Alumni Association; a long time official at the SB Easter Relays; Work Training Programs, Inc.; the SB Elks Lodge; and past Wagonmaster of the Caravaneers RV group.Joe is survived by his wife of sixty six years, Jacqueline (Jackie) Ator de la Torre. He is survived by his son David de la Torre (Georgianna) San Francisco, daughter Karen Menzel (Paul) of Seattle, grandchildren Mateo de la Torre, Marisa Menzel Sheneman (Brent), Erica Menzel Downing (George), Jeff Menzel and Great Grandchildren Sofia, Thomas, Charlie, Austin and Blake. Joe is also survived by his younger brother Robert of Camarillo and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Joe's younger sister Delia preceded him in death. He very much enjoyed watching all of his children of each generation participate in sports. His passion in retirement was attending to his gardens in Mission Canyon and keeping up with his many friends throughout his lifetime in Santa Barbara. Mass will be held at the Old Mission, Friday, November 7 at 11 am. Private internment will follow. In liew of of flowers, the family requests donations to Visiting Nurses and Hospice Care, 512 E. Gutierez Street, Santa Barbara, 93101

Joseph R. de la Torre

August 31, 1928 - October 24, 2014