Obituary of William F. Torkewitz, Sr.

William F. (Bill) Torkewitz, Sr.,81, passed away on Sunday Evening, December 9, 2018 at his home, after a long illness.

Legacy

William was born on July 14, 1937 in Atlantic City, NJ.  He spent his early childhood in Philadelphia, fondly remembering big Sunday dinners at Aunt Rose and Uncle Ned’s with the aunts cooking in the row home basement kitchen. His favorite companions then were his two cousins Pat and Billy Pietrangelo. They were his city boy brothers.

After his sister Joan was born, when he was 7, his family moved to the Miami Florida area. He often reminisced about fun times he had camping in the Florida Keys in the 1950’s with his friends Benny and Lanny. Also hanging out playing basketball and fixing cars with them. He was still in touch with them to this day. He would smile, more like a smirk, when he said he graduated in the top half of his high school class (of over 500…) A rumor, also perpetuated by him, was that he drove a car since he was 13.

He spent his teen age summers as a short order cook working in his uncle Chuck’s “Western Roundup” restaurant on Cedar avenue in Wildwood, sleeping on a cot upstairs in Aunt Dot and Uncle Chuck’s apartment in the hallway above the restaurant. (as with all many things nostalgic, the restaurant is now part of Wildwood’s past and is currently a parking lot).

He met his future wife, Janet, there.  She and her college friends would spend the summer waitressing in ‘real cowgirl outfits’ at the restaurant. The two of them loved to go dancing and during that time there were many big band clubs in Wildwood. Uncle Chuck’s was one of the very few restaurants open for late breakfast and coffee after club hours.

Oh those Wildwood days and those Wild, Wild, Wildwood nights… you could camp and build fires and stay all night on the beach then.

Janet would not marry a short order cook and after his senior summer at the restaurant he went to live at his in laws until he landed a job working for NJ Bell Telephone. He said that was the greatest job he ever could have had. He loved it and the people he worked with. Bill took an early retirement from Bell Telephone in 1988 when the company was being forced to break apart the monopoly

…but then he was busier that ever

A talented and avid self-taught wood worker, he loved building furniture and making wooden toys for Christmas presents for all his loved ones. Mom would draw up home remodeling plans on graph paper and Dad would build her dreams. And as his collection of tools grew, his carport was enclosed and became dads fixit shop and Santa’s workshop. He enjoyed working out in the yard and took pride in his gardens and pool.

Family

He is the beloved husband of the late Janet (nee Simonin) Before Bill was 30 years old, he had five children. He is survived by his children William F. Torkewitz Jr., Barbara Baccile (Jay), Beverly Feoli, Beth Ball (Michael), and Robert Torkewitz Sr. (Lisa); Loving grandfather to Robyn Fink (Colin), Bill Torkewitz, III (Lorelle), Jeff Torkewitz (Becca), John Baccile, Molly White, (Jeremy Mazur), Frank Feoli, Rachael Ball, Michael Ball, Jr., Robert Torkewitz, Jr., and Allison Torkewitz.  All super stars in his eyes. He was most proud of the two newest gems in his life, his beautiful great grandchildren Calvin and Charlie (Charlotte) Fink. He knew that life goes on through those you love. Father-in-law of Nancy Reeves Torkewitz, the late John Gary White and the late Anthony Feoli, Uncle to many dear nieces, nephews and many adored cousins.

Farewell Ceremony

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his visitation Friday, January 11, 2019 from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM at the McGuinness Funeral Home – 34 Hunter St., Woodbury, NJ 08096. A Memorial Ceremony will follow at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in William’s name to: Bayada Hospice, 603 North Broad Street. Suite 301, Woodbury NJ, 08096.

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