Jake Tortorice, Sr., was born on September 28, 1916, in Plaquemine, Louisiana, the third child of Salvadore and Rosa Tortorice. Jake passed away Wednesday, October 24, 2012, at the age of 96, in Beaumont, Texas.
He moved to Beaumont with his family at the age of 10, where his father began a career as a café owner. Jake and his siblings, John, Victor, Mary, Joseph, and Frances all attended Saint Anthony Catholic Elementary and High School. Jake was proud to have been a member of Saint Anthony High School graduating Class of 1935 and a member of several All State sports teams.
Jake married Concetta Maceo of Beaumont, in 1940, and together they have five children, Rosanne, Samuel “Buddy”, R.C., Jake Jr., and Tony.
In the early 1940s, Jake joined the war effort by working at Orange Texas Consolidated Shipyard. After the war he joined The Texas Coffee Company where he ended his service as vice president and retired after more than fifty years.
Jake was a member of Saint Anne Catholic Church where he served as an usher for countless years. He was a member of the Beaumont Evening Optimist Club and board member of the Business and Professional Men’s Club.
Along with his family, golf was Jake’s passion. He often shared his love for golf and sports with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In the early 1960s, Jake was particularly proud of serving his alma mater as a member of Saint Anthony Catholic High School Building Steering Committee. That steering committee culminated in the construction of a new Saint Anthony High School located on Kelly Drive. The new school was renamed Central Catholic and ultimately Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School.
Jake is survived by his wife, Concetta; children, Rosanne Brady and her husband, Al; Samuel “Buddy” Tortorice and his wife, Debbie; R.C. Tortorice; Jake Tortorice, Jr. and his wife, Mary; and Tony Tortorice and his wife, Kathy; grandchildren, Alfred “Trey” Brady and his wife, Katherine; Patrick J. Brady and his wife, Tana; Jay S. Brady; R.C. Tortorice, Jr.; Kimberly Tortorice Hochman and her husband, Jay; Jake Tortorice III and his wife, Amber; John Michael Tortorice and his wife, Debbie; Christopher Tortorice and his wife, Melissa; Josh Tortorice and his wife, Patricia; Maria Baker and her husband, Wes; Jude Tortorice; Tony Tortorice, Jr. and his wife, Ashley; and Jeremy Tortorice; great-grandchildren, Beau Brady, Jack Brady, Sarah Brady, Katelyn Brady, Caraline Brady, Jeff Ried, Elliot Tortorice, Trevor Tortorice, Isabelle Tortorice, Isla Concetta Tortorice, Gianna Tortorice, Antonella Kathryn Baker, and Salvadore Tortorice; brother, Joseph V. Tortorice and his wife, Margaret; sister, Frances Coco; sisters-in-law, Olivia “Dimples” Messina and Theresa Giglio and her husband, J.C.
Sa Benedica.
A gathering of Mr. Tortorice’s family and friends will be from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, October 26, 2012, with a Rosary recited at 7:00 p.m., at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 27, 2012, at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, 700 Jefferson, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica School, 850 Forsythe Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
