In Loving Memory of Rosendo Torres

Rosendo Torres, age 83, of Sanford, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, January 1, 2026, surrounded by his family. Born in Estelí, Nicaragua, he was the son of the late Juana Torres Vílchez and José Antonio Molina Miranda.

Early Life and Passions
As a young man, Rosendo was a member of the Nicaraguan National Soccer Team, highlighting his athletic talent and dedication. He volunteered as a firefighter and enjoyed taking part in volleyball and ping pong tournaments at the fire department headquarters. Rosendo was known for his adventurous nature, often acting as a daredevil on both his bicycle and motorcycle. He cherished outdoor activities such as fishing and hunting.

Journey to the United States
During the civil war in 1978 and 1979, he and his wife, Luisa, faced the loss of their two bookstores and their home due to city-wide fires that erupted during the conflict. Through resilience, they rebuilt their businesses and constructed a new house. However, in 1983, Rosendo made the decision to leave Nicaragua and relocate his young family to Miami, Florida.

Life in Miami and Career
Upon settling in Miami, Rosendo worked various jobs, including washing dishes in restaurants, parking cars at hotels, delivering newspapers, washing cars, and mowing lawns. With perseverance, he eventually purchased landscaping equipment and established his own company, Torres & Son Inc. Through dedication and hard work, Rosendo became a successful subcontractor and continued working until his retirement at age 81.

The best words to describe Rosendo would be "Generous Host." Despite his humble beginnings, he welcomed everyone—family, relatives, acquaintances, and even strangers—into his home. He insisted that his refrigerator be well-stocked and ready for impromptu gatherings. Rosendo was the life of any celebration, capable of singing and entertaining with humorous stories throughout the night, and he was an energetic dancer. There was always a birthday or holiday to commemorate, and he was happiest during large gatherings, with last Thanksgiving being the most memorable of all. He might have felt in his heart that it was the last one.

Retirement and Family
After retiring, Rosendo desired a simpler life. Carmen and her husband Israel Ramos invited Rosendo, Luisa, and Israel's mother, Rachel González, to move to North Carolina, to a place with "lots of trees"—a long-held dream of Rosendo's. Although the transition was significant, he cherished spending time with his family and hoped to reconnect with his three sons after years of them living in different states. One of Rosendo's greatest pleasures was mowing the grass on his own property and taking adventurous golf cart rides with his son-in-law Israel and grandchildren, Julián Andrés and Emily Louise. He found enjoyment in feeding his chickens, watching the dogs play, fishing in the pond, and relishing the companionship of his favorite furry friend, Cooper.

Surviving Family
Rosendo is survived by his beloved wife, Luisa Emilia Rojas Ordoñez; daughters, Indiana Elizabeth Torres García of Miami, Florida; Sara Luisa Torres Rojas (Jorge Ubau) of Miami, Florida; Carmen Isabel Torres Rojas (Israel Ramos) of Sanford, North Carolina; and Jacqueline Scales of Austin, Texas; sons, Rosendo Antonio Torres Garcia (Maria Lanuza) of Woodbridge, Virginia; Manuel Antonio Torres Rojas (Shannon Messimer) of Broadway, North Carolina; and Javier Torres Rojas (Monique Treshan) of Otto, North Carolina. He also leaves behind his beloved sisters, Azucena Torres v. de González (Bernardo González) of Estelí, Nicaragua, and Marlene Parrilla Torres (Richard Parrilla) of Miami, Florida; seventeen grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Service Arrangements
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Smith Funeral Home in Broadway, NC. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Saint Stephen First Martyr Catholic Church, with Reverend Joseph Pee Thuruthel Mathew M.S. officiating. Online condolences may be shared at www.smithfuneralhomebroadway.com .

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation (HPNF).  Hospice care allowed our family to focus on being a family again during our father's final days.  your gift supports the education and research of palliative nurses nationwide, honoring the professionals who make peaceful, at-home care a reality.. https://advancingexpertcare.rallyup.com/hpnftribute/t/chendo

Arrangements are by Smith Funeral Home, Broadway Inc.