Henry De La Torre, 97, passed away peacefully of natural causes on New Year’s Eve, December 31st, 2020. Henry is survived by his beloved wife Flora Barela De La Torre and a large loving family.
Henry was born on October 8th, 1923 in Miami, Arizona to Juanita Morales and Enrique De La Torre.
A lifelong devoted Catholic, Henry was baptized on December 24th, 1923 at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Miami, Arizona. He was confirmed on April 7th, 1924 at the same Church.
Henry attended school until the age of 15. The Great Depression and other life circumstances required Henry to grow up quickly and take on adult responsibilities early on as he cared and provided for his mother and siblings.
Henry enrolled into the Civilian Conservation Corps on January 11th, 1940, in Globe, Arizona. He was honorably discharged on December 20th, 1940.
On October 19th, 1944, Henry answered the call to proudly serve his country during World War II. He served honorably until his discharge on April 10th, 1946. Henry valiantly served as a heavy machine gunner with the 127th Infantry, 32nd Division in the Asiatic Pacific Theater.
Henry was modest about his service and many are unaware that he earned and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and the Victory Medal.
Soon thereafter, Henry courted the love of his life, Flora. The couple married at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Globe, Arizona on April 15th, 1950.
Henry worked in the copper mines early on in his marriage. Based on the dangerous conditions and a serious injury to his hand, his wife Flora wisely advised Henry to go back to school.
Henry utilized his GI Bill benefits to attend and complete barber school in Phoenix, Arizona.
On December 8th, 1967, Henry’s Barber Shop was born. Henry had the gift of connecting with people. He was extremely attentive to his clientele. Henry had the ability to engage with anybody and provided a venue where his customers could relax and share their respective life stories while receiving a masterful haircut. His loyal patrons loved him. His friends called him Hank. He provided his professional barber services until 2016, when his wife’s ailing health required him to be home.
For almost 50 years, Henry and his barber shop provided for his growing family. Despite earning a modest income, Henry made a queen of his loving wife. He adored her. And she adored him. Ever the devoted father, Henry built a little castle on a hillside in Globe, Arizona, nearly from scratch, working on the home during his spare time; adding rooms to the home as his family grew and grew. Under his guidance, his six kids flourished into their adulthood as they all found their own successes in life.
Henry lived to be 97 years old; so… things were only beginning for him in the 1970’s, when his first set of grandchildren were born and then in the 1980’s when his next clusters of grandchildren were born. Even at an older age, Henry will always be remembered as a strong and dignified man. He would walk home from his barber shop, with the sun setting behind his back. The grandkids eagerly awaited to see the silhouette of a man wearing his signature fedora hat with a newspaper tucked underneath his arm. Henry always made time to cap the day off with a game of catch with the kids, despite returning home from a full day of work.
Henry is survived by his children, Juanita De La Torre, Henry De La Torre (wife Rachel), Gilbert De La Torre (wife Patricia), Tina Christen (husband Steve), Fred De La Torre, and William De La Torre. Henry was the proud grandfather to 9 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. His legacy and memory will live on in all of them. He will be greatly missed.
Services will be provided at the Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery in Mesa, Arizona on Monday, January 11th. A viewing will be held between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm with a Rosary at 7:00 pm. This event is open to the public. Masks are required to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
A private Mass will be held on a later date. Attendance is limited to family members in accordance with Covid-19 prevention protocols.
My condolences to the family.He will be missed by all.I missed our visiting at I
think Walmart.They were always looking for me so we could play catch up.i think all the men in family had your dad cut there hair.More for the conversation.
Dear Anita, Henry, Gilbert and other family members, please accept my deepest sympathies. What a wonderful man. My family is also buried at that beautiful cemetery. With love, Vikkie Sorsen Peace
My prayers and love to the family he was my barber and family friend he will be missed
Brian, Mrs. DeLaTorre, Nita, Tina, Bill, Henry, Gilbert and Fred; we offer condolences to Mr. DeLaTorres extensive family. We’ve always had great respect for him. May he rest on Peace.
Rest in Peace Mr. De La Torre, always such a nice man. My deepest condolences to the family.
Oh, I’m so sorry, so sorry…He was a wonderful friend to my Marin family : first, for many years, with my grandmother, Natalia Trujillo Marin , when she and my aunts Dora/Cora Marin lived on east Mesquite in Globe, of course!… They had no car and he often stopped by to ask my nana if he could pick up a few groceries for her since he was “going to town anyway”..and 2) he was my dad’s good friend ( my Dad: Lupe Trujillo Marin), and his barber!..When I’d go home on weekends, I could hardly wait to take my Dad to get a shave and a haircut and take him to Henry’s barber shop over there across from Hill Street School..they loved to tell stories and laugh it up, and I loved it!…Henry de la Torre: say it all in one word, that’s how the Marins knew him: Henrydelatorre….May you rest in eternal peace, Henrydelatorre, and may your friends and family share their wonderful memories of you and bring them peace and comfort….If my Dad was still alive, he would shed a a tear and smile at the same time….God be with you, Henrydelatorre…….be at peace forever…abrazos y amor y respecto..
God Bless Henry on his second life journey. He always had a smile and kind words for everyone. God bless him in Heaven and to his Beautiful Wife and family so very sorry for your loss of such a wonderful Man.
Sadly, I only had the privilege of spending a small amount of time with Henry. I always remember how easy it was to talk to him. Even about the most personal subject matter, it seemed like he was ready to help you get it off your chest. -The way we met was hilarious! He ended up telling this story, about the time we met, many times, to many people.
I was at Mike D’s house by the fire place. Henry and I met as I was grabbing a classical guitar. He asked if I played, and if he could see the guitar? “Of course!” I said. He then spent a little time showing me some simple guitar chords to start learning. I could tell he was a great man and very dignified, so I did not want to be rude, and I let him finish, and as I did, I made sure to pay attention until he was all the way done with his thought. We then shared a smile, as he passed the guitar back to me. I had been studying guitar for many years already at the time, so when he passed the guitar back to me, I sent a barrage of notes and chords flying through the air! Henry was shock! We all started laughing, as Henry told everyone about how I just let him walk right into it. One of the best moments of my life, period.
So very sorry to hear of your father’s passing. May you be comforted by your memories and knowing he had a long, great life. My best wishes to all of you. From Susan Steadle-Phillips
Beautiful write-up of your dad’s life. May he rest in peace. Remember him as a kind gentleman with a kind, friendly smile. Bless you all.
My deepest sympathy to all the family. May he rest in peace in the land of the living.
Christine Marin January 8, 2021 at 9:34 PM
Oh, I’m so sorry, so sorry…He was a wonderful friend to my Marin family : first, for many years, with my grandmother, Natalia Trujillo Marin , when she and my aunts Dora/Cora Marin lived on east Mesquite in Globe, of course!… They had no car and he often stopped by to ask my nana if he could pick up a few groceries for her since he was “going to town anyway”..and 2) he was my dad’s good friend ( my Dad: Lupe Trujillo Marin), and his barber!..When I’d go home on weekends, I could hardly wait to take my Dad to get a shave and a haircut and take him to Henry’s barber shop over there across from Hill Street School..they loved to tell stories and laugh it up, and I loved it!…Henry de la Torre: say it all in one word, that’s how the Marins knew him: Henrydelatorre….May you rest in eternal peace, Henrydelatorre, and may your friends and family share their wonderful memories of you and bring them peace and comfort….If my Dad was still alive, he would shed a a tear and smile at the same time….God be with you, Henrydelatorre…….be at peace forever…abrazos y amor y respecto..
We will miss “Ronnie”!!! He was such a kind man and was so much fun to joke around with!! I know God has prepared a beautiful place in Heaven for him! God bless and comfort all of his loved ones left behind. We are keeping you all in our prayers!!
Dear Nita and family. I’m so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. My parents would often mention how much they enjoyed talking with your parents at Holy Angels, and around Globe, and how very nice & kind your parents were. Thoughts and prayers to you.
Fondly, Debbie DeRose Cameron
As I write this from my cell phone, please excuse any misspellings or grammar mistakes! It’s always nice to see everyone’s comments on here, learning the kind of person my grandfather was. I never got to really meet him as I had very few interactions with him but four stories come to mind. As i begin to write about story number one , I already start to get choked up and teary eyed. 1. I remember asking my grandfather when I was eight or nine years old, what he wanted to do with his life other than being a barber? His reply was, that he got to live vicariously through the children and grandchildren he had. Being so young I asked what did the word vicariously mean. He looked at me and said “Simply put Jeremy, it means that I got to be whatever I wanted to be in life because my family was successful. I got to be a trunk driver, a police officer, a musician in a band, a highway patrol officer, an attorney, an active member in the church, serve in the military, fly helicopters, and whatever else my family accomplished. I may not have achieved the highest level of education but all the members of my family went on to be successful and thats all that matters and because they are successful, i am successful.” The second story was when I was seventeen years old and my dad took me, my brother, Grandma, and Grandpa to Las Vegas. Now I know what you’re thinking but the trip wasn’t what you think. To everyone’s dismay, my granpa was out and about to the wee hours of the morning and grandma was always worried about where Henry was and what he was doing. Grandpa would come in the room everynight at 1 or 2 in the morning only to get scoldings from grandma about where he was and that she was worried sick about him. To this day i LOVE vegas and everytime I go back, my first thoughts are always thinking back to my very first time ever to vegas, as a seventeen year old with my brother, my dad, grandma, and grandpa. My dad still has the picture above his mantle of all of us at the Mandalay Bay hotel and casino exhibit with the underwater animals and sharks swimming in the background. The third story that I can remember was my dad taking my brother and I to see grandpa at his barber shop and getting haircuts from him. I remember I picked up a broom and started sweeping the fallen particles of hair that were on the ground. One of grandpa’s customers said that he had great grandchildren and my grandpa replied, “I have been very blessed.” The last story I recall is when I was a Senior in high school and we had the Cross Country championships in the vicinity of Globe or Miami as Globe high school held the championship meetof the season. This meet was very important because it was the champeionship Regional meet and we were looking to be the first team at Seton Catholic to win the 3A championship meet. The day of the meet I was warming up thinking you guys werent going to come and thinking to myself how disappointed i would be if you guys didnt come and just minutes before the race began, I saw you on the hill with grandma and my dad standing at the top of the hill and you guys gave me a thumbs up from afar, almost as if you were telling me you got this, go get it. We went on to become the first team ever to win a Cross Country Championship for Seton Catholic High School! Grandpa sorry I didn’t know you very well, sorry i didn’t get to know you better but I’ll never forget the time I called you a few years back to tell you happy birthday and you said is that Captain Jeremy?!?! I wished you happy birthday and as god as my witness I wont let you down grandpa and I WILL BE A CAPTAIN ONE DAY! As i take the time to write this and think back, you taught me more than you ever know in the short time we had together, you taught me what it means to care so much about your family, you taught me the value of hard work, you taught me to love vegas, and you taught me.to always be there for others in their biggest moments. I love you grandpa Henry, thanks for everything!
Hugs and prayers for the family. So sorry for this huge loss. What a Globe treasure he was.
I miss him he was always being such a blessing to everyone around him so giving and unselfish a man of god he will surely spend eternity with the lord .
one of the finest man i ever met he was my barber for many years and my neighbor i always ask hi son fred about him and his mother he will be missed by all
Uncle Henry is one of the best humans I will ever know. He always made it a point to greet everyone in the family with enthusiasm and a hug! Somehow, he was able to make everyone around him feel important and loved. The love for Auntie Flora, his children and grandchildren was palpable.
He was silly, fun, thoughtful, caring, nurturing, selfless, and all around a lovely person.
My heart goes out to Auntie Flora and my cousins. I love you all.
My sincerest sympathies to the family. Linda Verdusco Soto
I have never met Mr. De La Torre, but I know his daughter, Tina, and her family. I have been able to see him in pictures over the past few years. Pictures do paint a thousand words, allowing me to see the joy, kindness, and goodness come to life through the stories told by all. I am praying for all who knew him well. May your memories carry you through this fragile time. Much love…..
I’m Deeply Sorry to hear about the passing of my beloved Uncle Henry De La Torre. He was very kind gentleman who was always happy to see you. I was raised by my grandmother Rosa (aunt Flora’s mother) and we would come to Globe from California to visit with them. I’ll always cherish those visits with all the family members whom lived in Globe where I was born. To all the De La Torre Family I send my prayers to each and everyone one of you. May Our Good Lord Bless and watch over my Aunt Flora. Sincerely yours, Amador, spouse Wanda, son’s Damian, Vincent and grand-daughters Alura Lynn and Emma Rose.
To all of the ‘Posters’ here who offered your kind words of love, memories & kindness for my Sweet Dad, I thank you. I love you all so very much for taking the time to share your heart, prayers & friendship.
It’s been 5 months since my Dad’s passing & I still miss him dearly. He’s always in my heart & thoughts.
My Dad lived a simple & humble life for us 6 children & Mom. We never went without. Dad & Mom always provided on a Miner & Barber’s salary. He was always building walls. He loved to sing. We always had laughter & music in our home, whether is was Credence Clearwater Revival or Tom Jones. My Dad was a Man of God who was ‘rich’ with many Friends. He was like “George Bailey” with many people who knew him & if needed, would come to his aid in an instant.
My Dad’s memory lives on in us, in his GrandChildren & Great GrandChildren. I thank God for my Dad.
I love you Dad & miss you very much…but in “due time”…will see you again. 😉 XXX