Geronimo S. Torres, MD

Geronimo S. Torres, MD, 95, of North Kingstown and formerly of Cranston, RI, passed peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, July 4, 2024, at HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center. He was the beloved husband of the late Gloria (Rucco) Torres, to whom he was married for 53 years before her passing in 2014.

Dr. Torres was the father of Elaine Colarusso (her husband John) of Wakefield, Joanne Torres Medici of Warwick, and the late David Mark Torres. He was the doting grandfather of three— David Mark Colarusso, John Nicholas Colarusso, and Helena Joy Medici; and great-grandfather of Nina Grace Colarusso and Nora Elizabeth Colarusso. He was preceded in death by his sister, Rosa T. Mangosong. He also leaves two sisters-in-law, Angela Maria Rucco and Yolanda Rucco.  

Jerry, as family and friends knew him, was born September 30, 1928, in Asingan, Pangasinan, Philippines, the son of the late Sotero Torres and the late Fausta (Somera) Torres. He was named after St. Jerome, a Christian scholar and doctor of the church on whose feast day he was born.  

The many blessings in Jerry’s life are the embodiment of the American Dream. Born in a small village on the island of Luzon, he learned early to grow food for sustenance. He always said he would have been a farmer if he hadn’t become a doctor. As a 13-year-old, he watched as the Pacific Theater of World War II unfolded. He was 17 when the war was over, spending his teen years carrying ammunition, the injured or deceased, for American soldiers. He was rewarded with food or candy, the likely source of his love of Hersey chocolate bars and Spam. He had an enduring respect for our military throughout his life. American soldiers saved his life by providing Quinine when he contracted Malaria. He proudly became a US Citizen after completing his medical residency in the United States.

His love for learning led him to become a teacher, and later, he pursued his dream of becoming a doctor. With the support of an uncle, he graduated from the University of Santo Tomas Medical School in 1956. He completed residencies at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, WA; St. John’s Hospital in Lowell, MA; Newport Hospital and finally, Charles V. Chapin Hospital in Providence where he met his wife Gloria. 

Jerry worked as a psychiatrist for the State of Rhode Island for 30 years in the department now known as BHDDH (Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals), retiring as assistant chief of psychiatry. In addition to maintaining a private practice, he was a house physician at Kent County Hospital for 30 years and on the staff at Butler Hospital. After retirement, he worked at the Kent County Mental Health Center.

In retirement, when he wasn’t gardening, he cherished spending time with his grandchildren, traveling with Gloria to visit friends in other states, or taking the train to New York City for plays and interesting meals. Like his wife, he found joy in sharing a meal with family and friends filled with good conversation and laughter. They took seven trips to the Philippines for medical missions to aid the indigenous mountain people with basic medical care and helped construct a small hospital.

After losing his beloved wife almost a decade ago, he delighted in joyrides with his daughters and their families, doted on Elaine and John’s dog Emerson, and endlessly listened to music and World War II videos. 

Relatives and friends are invited to the visitation on Saturday, July 13, from 8 am until 8:45 am in the “WOODLAWN” Funeral Home, 600 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, with the Eulogy to be offered at 9:45am in Immaculate Conception Church, Garden Hills, Cranston, where the Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10am. His burial will follow at St. Ann Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Hope Alzheimer’s Center, 25 Brayton Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920, are greatly appreciated.

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