Stephen Michael LaTorre, 75, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away peacefully in his home Tuesday, September 4, 2018.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel LaTorre and Linda Ferretti of West Pittson, Pa.; his lifelong friend and cousin, Steven Robert LaTorre; and his beloved canine companion, Luke, the ambassador of Amelia Island.
He will be sorely missed by his son, Samuel LaTorre and his wife, Kim, of El Dorado, Calif.; daughter, Lori Miller and her husband, William, of Lake Winola, Pa.; brother, James LaTorre and his wife, Maxina, of Bayonne, N.J.; sister, Linda LaTorre Benson of Exeter, Pa.; grandchildren, Stephano and Sam LaTorre and William and Cassandra Miller; niece, Kalindi LaTorre; nephews, Dhruva and Raman LaTorre and Lance and Brett Benson; and the third musketeer and cousin, Daniel Lipperini of Pittson, Pa.
A lover of the ocean, Steve lived and operated businesses in various seaside towns: Hilton Head, S.C., Long Beach Island, N.J., and for the past 23 years Fernandina Beach, Fla., where he owned and operated a lovely art and gift shop.
Those who knew him saw a man who had the physical strength of someone three times his size, the courage of a fierce warrior, the spirit of a true Crocodile Dundee and the heart of a giant.
His passion for adventure led him to build and fly ultralight planes, drop from the skies as a paratrooper for the U.S. Army and dive into deep river waters of Peru and New Zealand to dredge for gold. But at the end of the day, he taught those he knew and loved that the greatest journey of all is the one within, where the heart is. He loved us well!
Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors