Louis E. Torres died Friday, Nov. 7, 2003, surrounded by his
entire family. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
Torres was born on April 13, 1925 in Roseville to Cayetana Velasco
and Guadalupe Torres.
Louis E. Torres died Friday, Nov. 7, 2003, surrounded by his entire family. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
Torres was born on April 13, 1925 in Roseville to Cayetana Velasco and Guadalupe Torres. He spent most of his early childhood years in Roseville and later moved to Colotlan, Jalisco, near Guadalajara, Mexico. During his youth he was an avid soccer fan.
As a young adult he returned to the United States and ultimately settled in Sacramento where he met the love of his life, Elodia Samaniego. In Sacramento he enjoyed volunteering his time, organizing soccer games and Mexican-American festivities.
Always the ambitious entrepreneur, Louis could always be found reading and reaching for higher horizons. Eager to make a better life, the adventurous Louis traveled to the last frontier, Anchorage, Ala., where he saved for his upcoming marriage. In 1951 he married Elodia in Sacramento and then returned to Alaska. Soon after, through his hard work and planning, he acquired the Ace Janitorial Service from his employer and began expanding his accounts. He also organized the Latino Pan-American Club for social events, dining and dancing.
Louis enjoyed taking his wife to the original and only Mexican food restaurant in Alaska. Being true to his goals and his wife’s cooking, he purchased the tiny restaurant in 1958 and named it the La Cabana. In the 197’s he expanded and completely rebuilt the restaurant, then sold it in 1999, after a long successful run.
In 1964, Louis moved his young family to Los Altos. He joined a partnership and helped open and operate the Prime Rib Inn in Palo Alto. Soon the partners moved on and he became the sole proprietor, and successfully ran the business for 25 years until 1990.
Not to be outdone by his success, Louis also acquired a historical building in downtown Los Altos in the early 1970. He then remodeled this building into a commercial complex, and the Bullfighter Inn restaurant. He then purchased the Caravan Inn Lodge in Mountain View and remodeled the structure as the El Camino Real Lodge and the Copperwood Inn Restaurant. Opportunity came knocking again and he purchased the King’s Table restaurant in Redwood City, which he remodeled and leased out. Even after retiring in 1990, he continued investing in properties.
Louis’ vision was to establish a business and a home for each of his six children. He was always known for his generous, humorous and childlike mannerisms. He routinely put his family and extended family members first, always willing to sacrifice his own personal desires. From his immediate family, relatives, friends and associates, Louis touched and influenced us all. We are proud of what he has accomplished and are grateful to him for enriching our lives, family members said.
Louis Torres will be greatly missed by his wife of 52 years and his immediate family: Robert Torres, Cynthia and Joey Bulash, Reuben Torres, Edward Torres, Anthony and Dana Torres, Joseph Torres; and grandchildren: Lance, Peter, Ashley, Rachelle and Maya.
Preceded in death by his father, mother and sister, Cuca de Ybarrando.
He leaves his brother Jose Torres; sister Luz Mendoza; mother-in-law Carlota Samaniego; brother and sister-in-laws, Mercedes and Tom Grosen, Joe and Marcella Saminiego, Charlotte and Ben Valdez, Sam and Bev Samaniego, Dora and Robert Cummins, Stella Maynard, George and Jane Samaniego, Bob and Margie Samaniego; and numerous other relatives, nephews, nieces, loving friends and associates.
All are welcome for the Vigil Service at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, at Johnson Funeral Home
Funeral Mass takes place at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 17, at St. Catherine’s Church. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Family and friends are invited to the Torres family home for reflection and celebration of the life of Louis E. Torres after the services.
