Richard F. (Dick) Torrey

Mr. Richard F. (Dick) Torrey 89 a local businessman and longtime Bennington resident passed away peacefully at The Center For Living and Rehabilitation on July 7, 2022 where he had recently resided. Dick was born in Brattleboro on October 11, 1932, he was one of three children born to Harold Lapham and Louise Mary (Barrett) Torrey. He grew up in Brattleboro graduating from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1951, he entered the US Army in 1952 where he proudly served his country until his Honorable Discharge. Dick married the former Dora Lou Flanders on June 21, 1952 in Brattleboro, she predeceased him on November 25, 2013. Dick was a lifelong Cobbler who began his career at the age of 13 with Anthony DeAngelis of Brattleboro, for many years he would work along with Tony learning his craft. In the DeAngelis Building above DeAngelis Shoe Repair was the Dutch Bakery Shop, it was there that Dick learned that he had a second skill – that of cooking and baking, he learned how to make delicious deserts from scratch. In 1958, his skills took him to Bennington where he began work at Marra’s Shoe Store, he purchased the business in 1959 and the family relocated to Bennington where he established himself as the local Cobbler, serving the community for many decades until his retirement in 2015. Always active in the community he was a member of the Jaycees, life member of the Bennington Elks Lodge # 567, member of the Eagle Hose Company of the Bennington Fire Department, Past-President of the Bennington Rescue Squad and member of the Bennington Club. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle and had taken two cross country trips with Dora, stopping in Ohio to join his sister Barbara and her husband Lewis on those trips. He was a voracious reader, enjoyed traditional country music and traveled to Nashville for Fanfest for many years prior to Dora’s passing, he also enjoyed cooking and tending to his vegetable gardens and fruit tree orchard at his East Road property which he loved. Dick was a lifelong Red Sox fan who was fortunate enough to see them win the World Series. He leaves his son Richard Torrey II with whom he resided since Dora’s passing , daughter Dixie Watson , grandchildren Torrey King and husband Frank, grandson A.J. Watson , great grandchildren Kayla and Carter King all of Bennington and niece Susan Campbell and husband Jim Bonnett of West Brattleboro , nephews Barrett and wife Lois Fanning of Watervliet, MI and Brett Fanning of Tiffin, OH He was predeceased by his sisters and brothers in law Virginia and Colin Campbell and Barbara and Lewis Fanning and nephew Torrey Campbell in 2021, great nieces and nephews. It was Dick’s request not to have any services. With a love of animals, memorial gifts may be made to Second Chance Animal Center in care of the Hanson Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home, 213 West Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201. To send personal condolences please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.