Arsenio M Torres

Arsenio Torres Martinez Jr., age 82, passed away peacefully in his home on May 6th, 2022, in Cathedral City, CA.

Arsenio was born April 2nd, 1940 in Manati, Puerto Rico to Arsenio Torres Sr. and Cecilia Martinez. He grew up in a large, loving family with six brothers and two sisters.

Arsenio enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1959 as a Hospital Corpsman and received an honorable discharge in 1963. After graduating from Columbia College, New York, Arsenio continued his education with a degree in the medical field and conducted cancer-curing research studies at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and The VA Hospital in New York City. In 1985 he relocated to Palm Springs, CA, to work with Dr. Jack Sternlieb at Eisenhower Medical Center as a surgical technician. In 1993 he was a part of the surgical team that successfully completed the Coachella Valley's second heart transplant. In 2010 he received an excellence award for his devotion and distinguished service at Eisenhower Medical Center.

Arsenio had a passion for martial arts, reading & cooking. His hobbies included bowling, baseball, & pool table. He is best remembered for his cooking, sweet tooth, fascination with sports, and biting his tongue when things got serious.

Arsenio is survived by his wife (Nilda Perez Torres) of 58 years, five children (Martha Torres, Jorge Torres, Norma Torres, Brenda Chaparro Torres & Mildred Vitello Torres) 16 Grandchildren & 25 Great Grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his mother, Cecilia, his father, Arsenio Sr., and his two brothers, Jorge Rafael & Jorge Eduardo.


The memorial service will be held at Forest Lawn, Cathedral City, California, on May 17, 2022, from 4 pm to 7 pm.