Tributes

Thank you all for being here today to celebrate the life of our father, Phillip Torralva Jr. Words alone cannot capture the essence of this extraordinary man, but we hope to share with you a glimpse of his kindness, charm, and the indelible impact he had on the lives of his family and the lives of so many others. Phillip Torralva Jr. was called to eternal rest on Saturday July 27th, 2024. Phillip, 86, passed peacefully in San Antonio, Texas in the presence of his loving family. Born January 14th, 1938, in San Antonio to Felipe and Guadalupe Torralva, “Phil” was a proud Texan who served his country in the U.S. Navy after graduating in 1955 from Fox Tech High School. After serving his country, he completed advanced degrees at Our Lady of the Lake University. A lifelong educator, Phillip became the Fox Tech night school principal, overseeing the GED graduations of thousands of students during his long tenure. His charming smile and unmistakable enthusiasm stayed with him his entire life. In his younger years he was a competitive tennis player and martial artist and in later years was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He is survived by his son, Dr. Phillip Randy Torralva, daughter, Kathryn Torralva-Villa, daughter in law, Dr. Teresa Andreoli-Torralva, son in law, Miguel Villa, and grandchildren, Cianna and Karlo Villa. Kathy: Reflecting on all the wonderful moments we shared with our dad, there is one memory that perfectly encapsulates his outgoing nature and kind soul. It was the summer of 2022 when he came to visit our family in Ramah, New Mexico. We attended a Back-to-School picnic together. In typical Dad fashion, the moment we left him alone at the table to get some food and drinks, he had attracted a crowd. When I returned, there he was on the dance floor with one of my colleagues, dancing up a storm. By the end of the afternoon, he had danced with three other partners, including myself. Everyone still remembers that day and asks for him at all the gatherings. His warm charm and irresistible smile made him the life of any party. The man could dance. Randy: Another side of our dad was this secret set of skills he would draw from that we had no idea he possessed until he just did it. This was something my sister and I were in awe of. One summer when I was about 10, he took me on a camping trip with the Indian Guides to Camp Flaming Arrow in Kerrville. Our Indian names were Big Thunder and Little Thunder. We camped, we cooked, we hunted and sang campfire songs at the bonfires each night. It was one of the best times I ever had with him. One afternoon, we went swimming out on the Guadalupe River. There was a huge rope swing hanging from an enormous cypress tree. I went up to the top of the hillside determined to swing out further than anybody. Well, I succeeded and was a good 75 feet from the shore. I soon realized I had dropped myself right into the current and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t swim out of it. My dad realized right away I was in trouble. I saw him climb to the highest peak and then watched him swing out like Tarzan, dropping into the river right next to me. I heard the splash, but I was already under water. I just remember his hand pulling me up and putting me in the lifeguard rescue position as he side-stroked us back to shore. He pulled me out of the water and held me without saying a word. He looked down at me and I could see the tears in his eyes. I never felt so loved in my whole life. I became a lifeguard my senior year of high school. He liked that. Dad loved old westerns and Clint Eastwood movies, and he never went anywhere without his signature cowboy hat, a nod to Festus from Gunsmoke. This hat was more than a fashion statement; it was a symbol of his spirit, his strength, and his enduring connection to the ideals of honor and justice. Our father's greatest achievements were manifold, but one stands out as a testament to his dedication and passion. After graduating from Fox Tech HS in 1955 and completing two sea tours as a proud Navy man, he continued his remarkable journey. He served on the attack carrier USS Franklin Roosevelt CVA-42 and the guided missile cruiser USS Galveston CLG-3. The Navy years were full of stories—his judo and jujitsu skills, the camaraderie, hitchhiking from New Jersey to Texas, and the thrill of the open sea. When he returned from the Navy in 1962, he transitioned smoothly into civilian life, demonstrating an exceptional work ethic. He became a successful insurance salesman, married our mother Maria Elena Maley, and started a family. His perseverance saw him juggling multiple roles—insurance salesman by day, campus patrol by night, and student utilizing his GI Bill at Our Lady of the Lake University. By 1973, he had earned his Bachelor of Arts degree and teaching certifications in Health/P.E and Spanish. He went on to earn advanced graduate degrees in education and Mid-Management Administration. Dad's involvement in the St. Mary’s University-Upward Bound Veteran Outreach Program and his work with San Antonio ISD, where he spent over 30 years, remain some of his most significant contributions to the community. He began as a Math teacher and tennis coach and, through continuous learning and dedication, rose to become the Principal of Fox Tech Night School programming and later part of the Administration team of Edison High School. His passion for education and supporting non-traditional students made a lasting impact on many lives. Kathy: One cherished memory that I hold dear is when he taught me how to hold a tennis racquet at the age of five. My brother and I would play tennis against the walls of St. Mary’s or McFarlin. The best part of those outings was heading to the store afterward for a Big Red and some bubble gum or chips. Another lesson that has stayed with me was how to throw a punch—and while it earned me my first detention in first grade for giving a bully a black eye, it also taught me to stand up for myself and admit and correct my mistakes. He was definitely amused and would jokingly say "now you see it, now you don't." Dad’s playful spirit and teachings went beyond skills; they were life lessons filled with love and care. Of all these things, what I will miss most about my dad is his smile, his eyes, and his big heart. I’ll miss his unique, high-pitched laugh, the way he called me "KT," and the countless moments spent together—hunting, hiking, road trips, campfires, and shooting targets. His stories about life, friends, and family have always been my treasure. Randy: I finished my anesthesia residency in 1999 and started my practice in N. California. My life was a high stress blur and I had not seen or spoken to my father in a number of months. Dad and I respected each other’s independence, but always knew we were there for each other when it mattered and could pick up right where we left off. One night I got a phone call. It was a friend of mine from medical school who had become a vascular surgeon in SA. He said, “Randy sorry to call you like this but I just saw your dad in the ER. I recognized his name and asked if you were his son. He gave me permission to call you. Your dad has just had a stroke and he has almost complete closure of his right carotid artery. If he doesn’t have surgery, he won’t make it, but he’s being stubborn and is refusing surgery. Can you talk to him?” I was under no illusion that I would change my father’s mind. Stubbornness was a family trait that had been passed to me, but I got dad on the phone and told him it was serious and that he would need to have surgery if he wanted to live. I packed a bag and started driving to the airport while we talked. He was quiet for a long time as I drove to the airport in San Jose. I started praying for my father. I told him I would respect his decision no matter what he decided. Finally, he said, “alright tell your friend he better take good care of me.” I said, “Dad, he already told me he was only going to charge you double.” Dad actually laughed. While I was in the air, dad was in the OR and as I landed, the surgeon called with good news. Dad had made it through a tricky surgery but was in the recovery room. When I got to the hospital, he was sitting up in bed. He had the same look the day he pulled me out of that river. The son the father saved, became the son to save the father. This is grace. It is important to acknowledge the medical care providers that our father was blessed to have had over the years. A special recognition to our primo Dr. Nandish Thukral, who got dad through a very complicated heart procedure about 6 years ago. and more recently the medical staff at Brookdale, who took wonderful care of our father over the last months of his life. He was loved by all of the staff and will be missed. Of the many lessons our father shared with us, the greatest was at the end of his life. Over his last few months he was befriended by chaplain Terry Morgan, who had many talks with dad about the divine nature of forgiveness. Dad had the clarity of mind to reflect on his life and was able to ask forgiveness for his sins. At the moment of his passing, he let us know that he had found his way home to heaven. We wish for our father to be remembered as a man of honor. His warm heart, sense of humor, and peaceful soul made him "Buena Gente." He was wise beyond words and always had a story to share, enriching our lives with his presence. Our father Phillip will be deeply missed, but his charisma and adventurous spirit are carried on by his 2 children, son, Dr. Phillip (Randy) Torralva & daughter Kathryn Torralva-Villa, daughter in law, Tara, son in law, Miguel, and grandchildren, Cianna and Karlo Villa. As this cowboy rides away into God's embrace, may we all keep our fond memories of him close to our hearts and bid him farewell until we ride together again someday. Thank you. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 11, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a rosary to be recited at 6:30 p.m. at Mission Park Funeral Chapels South. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, August 12, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church. Committal Service with Military Honors to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at Shelter # 5 at 1:45 p.m.

Tributes

Phillip Torralva Jr.

January 14, 1938 - July 27, 2024