Mr. Michael "Ray" Torsiello

- Devoted, airman, patrolman, husband, father and grandfather -

WATERTOWN CT – Michael “Ray” Torsiello, age 99, of Watertown, CT., formerly of Waterbury, CT., entered into eternal rest on April 15, 2023. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by love and light, with his family by his side, at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital.

Ray was born December 6, 1923, in Waterbury, the son of the late Michele and Guiseppina “Josephine” Torsiello. He was educated in local schools and enlisted in the Army Air Corps upon graduating from Leavenworth High School. While in the Army Air Corps, Ray proudly served his country and defended his country during World War II. He was a radio controlman in a B-24 Liberator, flying numerous missions over Europe. Home from the Air Corps on leave, he married the love of his life, Madeline Anne Maisto on July 7, 1945. They resided in Waterbury where they raised their three children, Raymond, Cynthia, and Francis. He was employed in a local factory until he found his calling. Ray was sworn in as a Waterbury Police Officer in 1951. Ray was a tried-and-true beat cop who loved what he did and wore his badge proudly. He could be found downtown directing traffic or helping students and nuns cross the street after school let out at St. Mary’s. He proudly served the people of Waterbury for 40 years, retiring after making it to badge number one. Being a Police Officer was not a job to Ray, it was who he was. It was his calling. He frequently reminisced about the “good old days” and all the people he was able to meet as well as all the lives he was able to touch. Upon retiring, Ray received a plaque from the residents of the Exchange Towers calling him the “People’s People”. Being the “People’s People” was only a small fraction of the man he was. Patriarch of the family he created with Madeline, that was his greatest joy and accomplishment. Ray gave his absolute all to his family. He was a very involved father and was an even better grandfather. Ray loved being present in his grandchildren’s lives and “spoiled them rotten” as his wife used to say. As young children, he would tell them “come on kids” and pile them all into his car. He would take them on many impromptu adventures. Sometimes they would end up at the beach, allowing them to jump in the ocean in their good clothes, and then bringing them back to the adults who were not as pleased. Ray had a passion for airplanes and would also take his grandchildren to airports just to watch the planes go by. He would share stories of his days of being in the B-24 and when he took flying lessons at Oxford Airport. Sometimes in the summer he would come home from work and run from the driveway to the pool in the backyard and catapult himself up and over the side of the pool in his uniform just to get laughs from the grandkids. Mrs. Torsiello didn’t find it quite as hilarious as the kids did as he came through the house soaking wet. Other times when he came home, the grandkids could be heard chanting “Hey Ray what do you say let’s have a Milky Way”. He would then take off his police hat and had Milky Way’s and Snickers bars in the hat which he would then give to the kids. He did anything he could do to make his grandchildren laugh and smile. He was the one who said yes when all of the other adults said no. He always had a mischievous smile on his face and loved to joke. He had a fierce spirit and was often the life of the party. He not only spoiled his grandchildren, but he taught them many lessons. He was an avid gardener and could usually be found in his garden with a saltshaker, eating his tomatoes off of the vine. He taught his grandchildren how to garden and they were often found right by his side helping in the garden. Our family thanks you Poppy, for every prayer you uttered for us, for the many sacrifices you made for us, for thousands of hugs and adventures you shared with us and the unending love you instilled in all of us.

In his later years, Ray resided in Watertown with his granddaughter, Melissa Powell, her husband, Marcus, and grandsons; Angel Cardona Jr., Tyson Torsiello-Powell, and Isaiah Powell. He enjoyed tending to Melissa’s chickens, was the UCONN girls’ biggest fan, and ended up becoming best friends with the family’s German Shepherd, Eli. Just as he spoiled his grandchildren, he spoiled Eli to the point that he became Ray’s dog. He loved to oversee Melissa in her vegetable garden and make sure that she tended to it the way he taught her. He loved to impart his knowledge and wisdom to Marcus and Melissa and would often start by saying to them “two things”. They would laugh and shake their heads because they knew this meant Poppy wanted them to work on some new, small project. He loved to tell Marcus “I think I need something for my nerves” which was his code for let’s do a shot and a beer together. They would sit together on the screened in porch and have a shot, a beer, and share many laughs. Poppy could often be found in the kitchen while Melissa cooked, picking at everything when her back was turned and smiling like a mischievous kid when she turned around and caught him. He would laugh so hard when she told him “get out of the kitchen”. He loved living in the house with his great-grandchildren and watching them grow. He created so many memories with them just as he did with his grandchildren. When he was still able to drive, he would greet them every Friday after school with Little Cesar’s pizza and chocolate chip muffins from Costco. He attended their sporting events, graduations, and school events. He was such an integral part of their family and was so involved in every fiber of their lives. He was loved, honored, and cherished deeply by them and he will be sorely missed.

Left to cherish all of the amazing memories of Ray are his grandchildren, Tizzi Patchell (Scott Dean), Brian (Christina) Shaw, Stacey Lettiero, Melissa (Marcus) Powell, Jessica Torsiello, and Rebecca Torsiello. He also leaves seventeen great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his wife Madeline, sons Raymond and Francis, daughter Cynthia Lettiero and her husband Pasquale, as well as his grandson Kyle Torsiello.

The family would like to take the time to thank the staff at the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital emergency department and on the fifth floor for providing such loving and humanistic care to Ray and his loved ones on his final day. They went above and beyond to ensure that Ray was comfortable and was able to be surrounded by his family. Their compassion, empathy, and heartfelt kindness was greatly appreciated and will not be forgotten. The staff truly made a difference during this most difficult time.

Funeral services for Mr. Torsiello will be held on Friday, April 21, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Casey’s Eastside Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 1987 East Main St., Waterbury. Burial with full military and Waterbury Police Department Honors will follow in Mt Olivet Cemetery, Watertown. Relatives and friends may visit with Ray’s family on Friday morning from 9:00 until the service at 11:00 a.m. To honor Ray’s memory, donations to Waterbury PAL, 64 Division St., Waterbury, CT 06704, would be greatly appreciated by the Torsiello family. Loving-kindness is always welcome, and it only takes a moment to offer a message of condolence, words of comfort, or share a memory with the family and friends of someone important to you. Please visit the funeral home’s tribute page at www.caseyfunerals.com to do so.