TORRENCE, Howard (Howie) William
July 18, 1923-March 7, 2008
It is with sadness the family of Howie Torrence announces his passing on March 7, 2008.
Howie was born in Red Deer, Alberta, the youngest child of William and Isabelle Torrence. Howie moved with his mother and two sisters to Vancouver in 1924. He was never far from the sea thereafter. Like a lot of young men, he saw a way out of the depression by joining the navy in 1939. He served with distinction on corvettes throughout the war. He was survivor of the sinking of the Weyburn in 1943. After leaving the navy, he became a pressman with the News-Herald and eventually the Vancouver Sun where he worked for forty years retiring in 1993.
In 1949, Howie met Isabel Ross; they were married in 1950 and settled down to raise five children. In the 50's Howie found the lure of fast greens and straight drives. He had a lasting love for the game of golf. At work he forged lifetime friendships that carried on beyond retirement with the regular pressman's lunch where an empty chair now sits.
After a brief illness, Howie passed away peacefully in the presence of his children and grandchildren. He is predeceased by his wife Isabel, mother Isabelle, step-father Harold, sister Grace and brother-in-law Ernie. He is survived by his children Stephen (Karen), Deidre (Peter), Ian, Avril (Len) and Emily; his grandchildren Alysha, Brianna, Megan (Kent), Davin (Shannon), Natasha, Jasen, Kalen (Jessica) and Lindsey, his sister Gladys and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the staff at Deltaview Life Enrichment, who made Howie's life comfortable these last five years.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Salvation Army's Miracle Valley program. A Memorial Service will held at Delta Funeral Home 5329 Ladner Trunk Road, Ladner, BC on Saturday March 15 at 1 pm.
What other people may find in poetry or art museums, I find in the flight of a good drive.
~Arnold Palmer
DELTA FUNERAL HOME
604-946-6040