Obituary of Gary Rommel Torres

Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Avenue Denville, New Jersey 07834 (973) 627-1880 Gary Rommel Malabanan Torres *Born March 30, 1967 Tanauan, Batangas, Philippines *Moved to USA Jersey City, NJ at 6 months old *Entered local talent contests, performed at UN, won 2nd place in Hudson county talent show energetic dance based on the Saturday Night Fever routine *Moved to Denville, NJ in 6th grade studied classical piano and self-taught guitar *Attended St. Mary's and Morris Catholic HS where he played football, baseball, and basketball. MC HS Member of the science club, Latin club and performed with band Overdrive at school dances, battle of the bands and parties * Denville, NJ resident for over 20 years *Attended Rutgers College and Mason Gross School of the arts BA Communications and Music. *Performed with band Tamela at school dances, and functions later becoming a staple of the Jersey shore cover band scene performing at the Stone Poney, Bar A and Jenkinsons. Tamela released "Tamela" which was featured on Homegrown Heros on WDHA and was played on Z100 and WPLJ. Released independent albums "Outside In", "Tamela", "Friend", "Jump Out" *Tamela was a finalist in the national search for their house band on the daytime drama "Another World" and appeared on the NBC daytime drama. *Worked for Sam Ash Music Institute in Manhattan and Edison, NJ as an Admissions Counselor and Music Technology instructor. *Performed with bands Manila Sound, Bad Habit in clubs, banquet halls *Attended graduate school in NYU’s music entertainment program and worked at Arista Records, A & M records, Columbia Records and Polygram Records. *Married Katherine Consul changed careers and started a family, two sons- Alexander and Nicholas. *2nd career Gary worked as a Music Therapist and Director of Therapeutic Recreation at Kessler Care, Trinitas Medical Center and Merry Heart Health Care. -cared for elderly and Alzhiemer's patients through music therapy and Therapeutic Recreation and Activities *Continued to tour at coffee houses such as the famed Blue Bird cafe in Nashville, Tenn. Performed at Denville Festivals, 5K runs, Morristown Fall Festival, Hackettstown Parade, once in a lifetime - volunteered at Pope Benidict XVI Yankee Stadium Mass, volunteered in Assisted Living Facilities & Nursing Homes * Owner of Music Vox Entertainment -entertained at over 200 weddings and 200 parties as a DJ entertainer and was named Pros Entertainment NJ DJ of the Year 2007. * Member of New Jersey Activity Professionals Association, National Association of Activity Professionals, American Disc Jockey association/ New Jersey Disc Jockey Association, American Society of Composers and Performers *Lives in Bushkill, PA, Bloomfield, NJ and Kinnelon, NJ Parishioner at St. John's Catholic Parish in Middle Smithfield, Pa, St. Mary's Denville, NJ, St. Thomas Bloomfield, NJ., and Jesus the Word of Life *Loving husband and father -Wife Katherine, Sons Alexander and Nicholas Parents Juanito and Deli Torres of Bushkill, PA, Brother George Torres of East Stroudsburg PA *cherishes family, playing guitar, piano, drums, karaoke, traveling, dancing, laughing, smiling, entertaining, active sports basketball, baseball, bible studies, enjoys a purpose filled life in my generation. Gary’s funeral will be conducted from Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Ave., Denville, NJ www.normandean.com, (please light a candle in memory of Gary on website.) on Tuesday June 9th at 9AM for a 10AM Mass of Christian Burial service at St. Mary’s Church, Denville, NJ. Relatives and friends will be received on Monday June 8th from 2-4 and 7-9PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations to the Torres Education Fund C/O Mahlona Salinas, 50 Howe Ave., Wayne, NJ 07470 would be appreciated,