The dad said goodbye to his 3 biological and 4 stepchildren before dying. He was the sole earner of the family.
The pandemic has been a heartbreaking time for many, more so for frontline workers and their families. While the frontline workers were trying hard to keep others safe, many of them got infected with COVID-19 and couldn't recover from it. Even young individuals in their 30s and 40s were not able to beat the infection. Few of them got the chance to at least say goodbye to their family before passing away. As heartbreaking as that farewell message can be, it may also have brought some solace to people's hearts.
Charles "Charley" Torres, a Texas father-of-seven who was the only earning member of the family, passed away after fighting the disease. He leaves behind his loving wife, Ana Torres; children, Alyssa Vargas, Jeannette Vargas, Janessa Torres, Lizzette Torres, Benito Vargas, Julius Vargas, and Raymond Torres; grandfather, Mike Garza; parents Alex and Joanie Torres, and brother, Christopher Torres, as per his obituary.
Charles, 35, went to the hospital on January 15 after struggling to breathe, as per ABC 7 NY. There were moments when his family believed that he would be able to fight the infection and make it back home, but he never came home. The 35-year-old dad died on Valentine's Day in 2021.
He was from Manvel, Texas, and an Eagle Scout in high school before becoming a firefighter with the Manvel Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #6403 and president of the Austin Diocese Knights on Bikes, a Knights of Columbus motorcycle outreach group. He also worked as a FEMA Disaster Assistance Specialist, as per his obituary.
"He's always been a servant. He's done so many things for people," said his mother, Joanie Torres, to ABC 7 NY. "We always say, 'Charley's heart is bigger than his body,' and he's just that type of person."
"I love you with all my heart...Take care of your mother." Charles Torres struggled to breathe as he said his goodbyes to his 3 children and 40stepchildren in an emotional video he recorded before he passed away https://t.co/DTeWTDHZgj 💔
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) March 4, 2021
His parents said that his greater calling was that of a husband and a father. He was a thorough family man, and a good husband to his wife, and a great dad to his children and stepchildren. Three of his kids are under the age of six. "He took them everywhere. He did everything with him," said Joanie.
The devoted dad made sure to say his farewell to his three children and four stepchildren. Two weeks before passing away, when he was still able to, he recorded a video for them. "I love you with all my heart. I love you so much," he told them in an emotional video. "Take care of your mother. I love you," he told them.
The firefighter's parents said that he had underlying health conditions, but they are not bitter over their loss. They are people of faith, who see his death as him going home. "God's giving him a little rest right now, but he has something mightier for him to do," his mother said.
While his family is still learning to cope with their loss, they need financial aid. "With him gone, life has hit his family pretty hard. His family is asking for funds to be sent to this account to help his children and memorial services," a GoFundMe page said. His brother also set up another GoFundMe page to help his kids in the future. Any donation amount is welcome by the family.
References:
https://www.scottfuneralhome.net/obituary/charles-torres
https://www.gofundme.com/f/qvpaxm-memorial-donations-for-charles-raymond-torres?
https://www.gofundme.com/f/memorial-donations-for-charles-raymond-torres
Source: Getty Images | Photo by Filippo Bacci (Representational Images)
