The Fil-Aus community was in great shock and sadness when George Torres, community volunteer and leader , unexpectedly passed on at the young age of 66 years (22 September 1955 - 21 October 2021).
George was one of the reliable workers for events; not only did he lend his ute to carry props, equipment and provisions, he also helped with the heavy work of lifting and installing during the set up and the closing. He did this easily as he was a 6th dan black belter in Filipino martial arts arnis-sikaran which also got him in a couple of movies.
He was also well known for his generosity in supporting in fund raising activities donating cash and in-kind (clothes, footwear and non-perishable food items).
He served in the NSW Police force for 35 years after having briefly worked in Kirby Engineering where he met his loving long-term partner Coral Harvey. Together they have three lovely daughters - Jacqueline Torres Delaney, Chantelle Torres and Victoria Torres; and three grandchildren - Sienna Torres Delaney, Tiger Torres Delaney and Lorenzo Torres. Being surrounded by lovely women, it was no surprise that he also took an interest and became a supporter of the Glamour Look Beauty Pageant.
The Australian Filipina extends sincerest condolences to Coral and the whole family, and to friends of George. We are grateful to share below two eulogies delivered during the Requiem Mass for George.
From George's eldest daughter, Jacqueline Delaney
I’d like to start by saying thank you to everyone that is here and anyone that is on the livestream that couldn’t be with us today. My Father is more than just a dad to me he was a son to Lola Anslema Torres and Teo Fila Baral. A loving Brother to: Eldest to youngest in my Titos and Titas Angelita, Adelaida, Leticia, Alicia, Erlinda, Elsa, Arceli, Ricardo. A loving partner to my mother Coral Hervey.
Father to myself, Chantelle and Victoria; the most loving Lolo to my children Sienna and Tiger and my new nephew and sister’s child Lorenzo and connected with my husband David as his own son.
My Dad, means everything to me, my sisters and my mother, and it is so hard to be up here. For those who really knew my father in his younger days knew him as either a long time member and black belt Sikaran Arnis and a Police officer for NSW police which he served for 35 years.
My memories of my childhood were always being surrounded by all his best friends on fishing trips, Filipino functions and he even used to take me to Manila disco nightclub when I was 4 years old. Although many of you know him as cheerful funny guy that would bend over backwards to help anyone out for anything, me being his eldest daughter was different, He brought me up strict, strong and always told me you have to earn my respect for my trust before you get or do what you want. At the time I thought it was unfair and hated it but I look back and wouldn’t change a thing because I know it was so I could learn his ways and live a successful life, even today I feel like I’m the luckiest person to be able to have such a special bond and relationship with my father with what he has done for me and my sisters.
I cherish all the memories I have with my father and know he is smiling down on us all waiting for the waitress to ask to take his order and then asking for Diet Water and overcooked and burnt chicken. I don’t know how long it will take me to grieve this tremendous loss but feel so grateful to have had as much time as I did and miss him so much already as I will forever know I have the most incredible man as a father.
Thank you again for coming here today and rather be broken by his departure if you can find the strength to help me celebrate his journey of life. His memory will carry on forever. Thank you.
From a very close friend, Charles Chan
Good morning everyone,
My name is Charles and I am a friend of the Torres family and today, I’ve been asked to speak about George’s life and his contribution to the Filipino Community. They have also granted me a permission to talk about my personal experiences with George.
Most of us who are gathered here today would give various adjectives to describe George. Some would say friendly, some would say frank, honest, gregarious, fun, strong willed, others might even say he’s a Chick-boy and to others he is simply a person that just cares about others.
If you haven’t known yet, our friend George is a singer. He sings at home, restaurants, parties and many community events. For those of us who have heard him sing, you’d think he is a good enough singer that if we were to have a Campbelltown Got Talent, George would have easily beaten anyone especially if he sings his favourite song which is "My Way". But you know, it was lucky for George he was singing it here in Sydney because, if he has chosen to sing My Way in the Philippines, I’m sure it would have had a different outcome.
George has served in the NSW Police Force for a number of years. And no matter if you may have seen him with his gun, his lovely wife Coral would have told you straight away that “My George is great lover and not a fighter”. For you ladies out here today, I’m sure you would agree that George has an infectious and deadly smile. Therefore, wherever he goes, with his seductive wink and his magical smile, no wonder George is Just Simply Irresistible.
He is definitely an unsung comedian in our community. Just ask Tony and Eva of what George told their guests at their wedding reception. I tell you what, if the Blue Mountains was close by Warwick farm that night, Tony would have hidden himself there till George was finished with his speech. If you get George’s unique sense of humour, you will find yourself rushing to go to the bathroom to avoid wetting your pants in laughter.
But the one thing that we could all agree about on how best to describes George is his GENEROSITY. His big heart. Ironically it is this same heart that became the reason why he is no longer here with us today.
George has been serving the Filipino community long before I knew him. He was a director in PASC. He heads the security team during the annual Filipino Fiesta. Imagine handling 15,000 people who attends this event every year. Has he even have the time to eat?
He was also a member of the Blacktown Ponds Chapter of the Lions Club. George would faithfully travel from Minto to the Ettamogah Hotel in Kellyville Ridge to attend their weekly meetings and help plan future events with his fellow Lions.
He was an active director of APCO and he has contributed actively during the many fund raising events. Here he also heads the security team each time we hold the Philippine Independence Day. He’s sold so many ticketed events and gotten sponsorships for APCO.
As a person who understands the meaning of charity, he too had organised his own fundraising events and have donated the proceeds to the Blue Whale Organisation in the Philippines. The Blue whales takes care of the abandoned and neglected elderlies in the Philippines.
Of late, George became the mentor and the driving force behind the success of the Glamour Look Beauty Pageant. He is very much liked by all the candidates because of his hard work in making sure that the event is going to be a success. He involves his entire family to contribute either by singing, selling tickets ad ushering during the show.
The Philippines have encountered so many calamities and disasters during the last few years. From typhoons, right through volcanic eruptions and now the covid pandemic. I know that if George was alive today, he will get himself involved with the Typhoon Maring appeal. When we have appeals to help our Kababayans, George will be the first responder to the appeal. He would bring boxes and bags full of clothes, footweare, toys and many more to Sedgwick Housing. I’ve literally lost count on how many times he came to us bringing relief goods and financial assistance. Each time George raids their wardrobe to find surplus clothes, we are left wondering if Coral still any clothes to wear the following day.
On a personal side, George became my inspiration when one night I saw his house during Christmas time. It was full of lights from the roof to the grass, from the windowsill to the iron fences. I asked him, George why do it? He said to me, he just wants to bring a smile to anyone passing by his house. He told to me to go with him after Christmas and we will buy discounted Christmas lights and decorations. Sure enough, he took me to a shop in Blaxland and after spending nearly $1,800.00 and George spending roughly $8,000, I said to myself, OMG I think George wants me to start my second job cleaning the windscreens of cars at the intersection of Hume Highway and Woodville Road. But kidding aside, ever since I started decorating my unit every Christmas, my neighbours also got inspired and started decorating their units too. Thanks to George.
George owns a ute and he often gives me permission to borrow it because he said he could trust me to take care of it. The ute has become an invaluable help to us because we were able to transport decorations to venues organised by various Filipino organisation. It also transported appliances from one house to another. So for this kindness, the Filipino groups are eternally grateful.
On thing that I can never ever forget is George’s famous lines. When George is not happy with a situation, or an outcome or a person, he always told me, "Putcha naman Charles, Kasi ano, yung ano, bakit laging ano,…..at kung ano-ano…." But today, I’m gonna turn the table around…. "Putcha naman George…bat naman ang aga mong lumisan."
It’s hard to say goodbye to someone who have been a good part of your life and George, you have been part of our life. You truly made a difference. You don’t need to be famous to become a legend. Your selfless acts and small ways of helping others makes you a LEGEND.
Thank you my friend and until we meet again.