More detail on this person: LEWISTON - David
Lee Torrey, of Lewiston, passed away on Saturday
(July 23, 2016).
He was born in Olean on Aug. 24, 1946, the son of
the late William and Glenna Nester Torrey.
Mr. Torrey grew up on a dairy farm on East River
Road in Olean, and graduated from Olean High in
1964. Dave received an associate's degree in civil
engineering from SUNY Alfred in 1968.
In 1969, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in order to
participate in flight school and was drafted for
Vietnam. He served in the 282nd Assault helicopter
company "Blackcats" in Vietnam from December
1969 to December 1970 as a Huey pilot. Dave
began a lifetime love of flying as a civil service
technician and instructor pilot for the N.Y. Army
National Guard, permanently based in Niagara
Falls. He retired in 1996 as Chief Warrant Officer
4. Dave was appointed by the FAA in 1988 as a
designated pilot examiner for fixed and rotary
wing aircraft. In 1992, he began flying for the
Niagara County Sheriff's Department as a special
deputy.
Dave married the late Roberta J. "Bobbie" Scott
Torrey in Fort Rucker, Ala., on Aug. 16, 1969.
They were married 46 years.
Dave and Bobbie joined the Youngstown Yacht Club
in 1990 and began sailing, racing and entertaining
friends aboard Interloper, Arbitrage and most
recently Knot Flyin. They enjoyed riding across
the country alongside each other on their Harley's
for many years.
David was literally and figuratively a strong man
with deep compassion, a hero to many, but
especially his son and granddaughter, Madeline.
Dave is survived by his son, Derek; wife, Tatia;
loving granddaughter, Madeline; sister, Christine
Tincher; and several nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late Raymond and Darrel
Torrey.
Private services will be held at the convenience
of his family.
Memorials in his name may be made to Niagara
Hospice, 4675 Sunset Dr., Lockport, NY 14094.
Arrangements were made through the Rhoney
Funeral Home, Sanborn. Visit
www.rhoneyfuneralhome.com, for a guest
register.
Published in The Olean Times Herald on July 31,
2016
This information was last updated 11/19/2016
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