The Story of Joseph V. Tortorice, Sr.

(Pop)

Joseph “Joe” Vincent Tortorice, Sr., 90, of Beaumont, died Saturday, December 20, 2014. The incredible story of Joseph V. Tortorice, Sr., (Pop) began on 12 September 1924 in Plaquemine, Louisiana with his birth to Salvatore and Rosa Tortorice. Salvatore had immigrated from Gibellina, Sicily in 1895 and had begun a grocery business after his marriage.  Pop grew up as the fifth of seven children. His siblings were John, Vic, Jake, Mary, Charles and Frances.

The family moved to Beaumont soon after his birth when his father had the opportunity to open a small café in partnership with a relative. He witnessed work ethic at an early age as his father would catch the bus each day and return late at night.

The children were raised in a loving household.  His oldest brother “Johnny” would go on to become a Catholic priest.  All of the boys were great athletes.  Pop was once named to the All City teams in football, baseball and basketball.  Even later in life, his athletic ability was evident in the game of golf as he “shot” below his age over 20 times, a very difficult accomplishment.

As a junior in high school he enlisted in the United States Army to fight for our country in World War II. He trained at Fort Lewis in Washington before sailing to England out of New York aboard the USS Fair Isle. He had been assigned to the 17th Signal Corps Battalion of the U.S. First Army. This unit would play a key role as the allies advanced across Europe.

During the convoy crossing of the Atlantic, German U-boats sunk one of their ships.  Later that day, Nazi radio erroneously announced that the Fair Isle had been sunk and that it was a key target so as to destroy this communications capability.  In truth, Germany had sunk the wrong ship and Pop arrived in Bristol, England on 21 October 1943.

It was in England that he trained for the greatest military operation in the history of the world – the Normandy Invasion.  And on June 9, 1944 he came ashore in France at Omaha Beach.  His unit would then proceed through France, Holland, Belgium, the Ardennes Forest, the Battle of the Bulge and on into Germany.

He was a communication specialist and spoke many times of connecting phone calls for General Dwight Eisenhower to General Omar Bradley.  He ended the war in Weimar, Germany and was one of the first soldiers to enter Buchenwald Concentration Camp.

After 21 months overseas, he returned home and re-entered high school as a senior. As a war veteran, he said the nuns so revered him that he “didn’t have to crack a book”.

There he met the love of his life – Margaret Rose Montalbano.  He called her the “pick of the litter”.  They would spend a beautiful lifetime together raising four children; Joey, Judy, Pinky, “and Suzanne”.  His family was his life and he focused on loving, teaching, providing and protecting his wife and children.

Judy became a well-respected nurse and married Larry McFarland. They have three children, Amy, Cody, and Lindsey; and three grandchildren; Addie, Landon, and Brady.

Pinky earned a degree in Computer Science and married Bill Carden. They have four children, Polly, Katy, Tre, and Leesa; and three grandchildren, Emma, Charles, and Rosabelle.

Suzanne also became an LVN and married Dave Jones. They have five children, Julie, Ross, Charlie, Hunter, and Taylor; and one grandchild, Poppy Rose.

Joey attended Texas A&M, spent four years in the Corps of Cadets, met and married “Shelley Bill” Schoolfield. They have three children Jay, Rob, and Ashley; and nine grandchildren, Joseph IV, Luke, Lainey, Robert, Josephine, Mary Margeret, Georgia, Olivia, and Maceo.

After the war, Pop began his career as a salesman for a wholesale grocery company. His love of people and ability to build lasting relationships enabled him to buy a grocery store owned by an elderly couple. Fruitland Grocery became the opportunity that allowed his passion and persistence to flourish. Over time he expanded his holdings to four grocery stores, two laundromats, two drycleaners and one little sandwich shop, J’s BBQ and Washateria.

And it was out of that little sandwich shop that Jason’s Deli was born. Pop financed and guided his son Joey in the opening of the first deli at Gateway Shopping Center. As the years passed, he became an inspiration to the people of the Jason’s Deli Company. His ability to encourage others became a cornerstone of the culture of Jason’s Deli.  Today, the brand is in 29 states with 253 locations, and is considered one of the top ten Fast-Casual concepts in the nation by Forbes Magazine.

Pop retired in 1990 and he and Margaret spent their golden years traveling and enjoying one of their great loves – their beach house – the T-Box at Emerald Beach. He took up fishing and became known as the King of the Bay for his knack for catching many speckled trout.  The T-Box became the site of an annual beach party for the families of Joey and Aggie Buddies. These boys would become second sons to Pop as his love for A&M matched his spirit for life.

His enthusiasm and ability to inspire others was built throughout his lifetime by his faith.  Each summer he, Joey, Russ Mason, his sons-in-laws, and grandsons attended the Manresa Jesuit Retreat in Convent, Louisiana.  For seventeen years, he developed relationships with the Jesuits while enjoying the Southern Louisiana cuisine.  His eating was classified as “out of control” at times!  His friend, Father Edward Romagosa, always told him to not hold on to life too tightly and to “Let it go” when he needs to.  These became his final earthly words.

As he grew older, Pop began to face more health issues.  His relationship with his nephew, Dr. Al Brady, became one of mutual love as Al watched over him for the past thirty-three years.  His case became somewhat complex as Al referred him to a world renowned heart specialist, Dr. Reynolds Delgado, who truly prolonged his life. Dr. Delgado was so inspired by Pop’s determination, that he invented a new heart device for patients dealing with the issues similar to Pop.  It should be on the market in 2016 and will help thousands of patients throughout the world for years to come.

His life story would not be complete without mentioning his love for nephews, RC and Tony.  He would have many happy moments over latte with them. They would also, together, gripe about the Aggie football team.

Pop made us all promise to continue making Italian sausage for the holidays and planting Cucuzza on St. Joseph’s Day.

Pop’s friendship with Monsignor Jerry McGrath became a symbiotic relationship between the two men.  Father Jerry provided unconditional love and support in these last years.

Also, a special mention should be made of his caregivers and the role he played in their lives; Celia, Joy, Tchet, Fei, Esper, Lovely, Amor and his granddaughter, Julie.  He became a second father to them.  

In his words, he was a simple man, who loved his family and “did it my way”. 

In closing, the following is an excerpt written to the Jason’s Deli Company by his grandson, Rob:

Deli Family,

I am deeply saddened to tell you this news.  Big Joe went to see the Lord this afternoon. He passed in peace with his wife and kids at his side.

Big Joe had a zest for life that kept him alive and active for decades longer than his body allowed for.  That spirit inspired us on a daily basis, especially in his passing.  He was at peace in recent weeks but the man never, ever gave up fighting.  He had a will to fight and to live; not for himself but for his family.  He literally hung on these last months for the sake of others and it was only when they were all at peace was he willing to accept the inevitable passing from this earthly world and to go see the Lord.  "Perseverance" is a cliche that we hear all the time but it is infinitely easier said than done.  Anyone that has endured medical issues knows how utterly exhausting it is to go through all the poking, prodding, doctors visits, waiting, testing, giving blood, side-effects, etc, etc that come with fighting through an ordeal like this.  That is damn hard and Big Joe did it for decades with a smile on his face.  He did it not only because he had an amazing will to live but because that's what you do in service of others.  You owe it to them.  You owe it to yourself but more importantly, you owe it to your family and friends.  But few are able to persevere like he did.   He did for us.  What an ultimate act of Servant Leadership.  He kept that spirit and his wit all the way to the end; even in recent days.  He was sharp as a tack.  His mind was willing but his body was not able.  Big Joe was not only the Patriarch of our family but also that of the company.  He is responsible for the birth of this great organization and I know he touched many of the people in it.   He was an inspiration to me.  Let him continue to be so for all of us. 

A gathering of Mr. Tortorice’s family and friends will begin at 4:00 p.m., with his Christian Vigil at 7:00 p.m., Monday, December 22, 2014, at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, 700 Jefferson, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 23, 2014, at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, with his entombment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica School, 850 Forsythe, Beaumont, Texas 77701 or to St. Anne Catholic School, 375 North 11th Street, Beaumont, Texas 77702.