James "Jim" Alan Torpey

james
James "Jim" Alan Torpey died peacefully surrounded by his family on August 15th 2017. Jim was born on March 23rd, 1953 in Grand Island, Nebraska to Charles Leo Torpey and Elizabeth Ann Torpey. Jim is survived by his wife of 40 years, Teresa Brown Torpey of Asheville, his daughters Jennifer (Joe) Szakaly of Cornelius, NC, and Melissa Torpey of Hendersonville, NC. Jim also has two granddaughters, Ava Lillian and Eleanor Elizabeth, both of Cornelius, NC. Jim was born the fifth of 10 children and is survived by all of his siblings: Fr. Charles Torpey of Grand Island, NE, John (Ana) Torpey of Oakland, CA, Maureen (Bob) Rosene of Hilton Head Island, SC, Michael (Peggy) Torpey of San Francisco, CA, Richard (Krista) Torpey of Atlanta, GA, William (Carol) Torpey of Hutchinson, KS, Cathleen (Denny) Abels of Amherst, NE, Jane (Michael) Ray of Hilton Head Island, SC, Marcia (Michael) of Oshkosh, WI. Jim is survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. After meeting Teresa in 1975, Jim and Teresa married in December 1976. They started their family in Charlotte, NC and later Greenville, SC. Jim & his family then moved to Asheville, NC where they resided for 30 years. It was here that he and Teresa would make their home and raise their family. Jim enjoyed traveling and being involved in local civic and political issues, the arts community, and his faith community. Professionally, Jim would spend two decades building a successful business as a sales representative for many juvenile product lines. Later, he worked as a financial advisor for several firms in Asheville, but Jim always considered his greatest accomplishment to be his two daughters, Jennifer and Melissa. Honesty and integrity were attributes that shaped Jim throughout his life and contributed to his professional success and his personal relationships with all who were lucky enough to have known him. To his family, Jim was an adoring husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. The love that Jim had for Teresa was evident in everything he did - from the poems he penned about her in the early morning hours to the everyday moments they shared together with laughter. Jim was known for his animated personality and fun sense of humor, as well as his quiet, thoughtful, and gentle demeanor. His legacy is having lived a life full of kindness and compassion, and with a spiritual richness that provided him with a peace at the end of life. Jim’s family and friends will gather from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM on Saturday, August 19 in the Chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian in Arden. Jim’s family will share stories beginning at 10:00 AM and will then greet visitors until 12:00 PM. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, August 19 at 2:00 PM at St. Eugene Catholic Church in Asheville, NC. The family wishes to thank the staff at CarePartners Rehabilitation Center and Mission Hospital for showing care and compassion to Jim during his illness. Jim was cared for by people who had the same kindness he had shown others during his life, during this most difficult time of need. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Prostate Cancer Foundation (www.pcf.org).

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  1. Teresa. We are so saddened at Jim’s passing he was always a great guy to work with and better a great person. Our prayers are with you and the family we will be there at the service to remember his full life

  2. I am so sorry for your loss. From my family to yours, our most sincere condolences at this time of mourning.

  3. We will miss this dear sweet man.Our love to Teresa, Jennifer and Melissa.He is in our prayers.

  4. I am so sorry for your loss of an amazing grandfather, husband and dad. Love to all of you during this time.

  5. Teresa, I am so sorry and will continue to pray for you and family in the days ahead. Diane Plym (Asheville Manor)

  6. Dear Teresa, Jennifer & Melissa,
    I am so sorry to read of the passing of Jim. Having the privilege to know your family during my teaching time at Glen Arden, my memories take me to many acts of kindness, caring, involvement, and most of all, love for family & friends. May God grant you peace in the coming days.

  7. Dear Teresa, Jennifer and Melissa
    Debbie and I are so sadden by your loss
    But we want to say one thing

    What a difference a good man can make
    Our world won’t be the same
    Without him
    But the next world has gained
    One heck of a soul.

    Barry & Debbie

  8. Teresa, Rick and I are both so saddened by your loss. Jim was a good, caring neighbor. We’ve always been amazed at your walks down the mountain. Jim served our community with integrity and hard work. He will be missed.
    Rick and Jan Elingburg

  9. Jennifer, Joey & Daughters , we are so sorry for your loss . Sending love and prayers . Robbie and Rita

  10. Jim was an incredibly reassuring person. Years ago, as Jennifer and Melissa’s babysitter, I admitted to Mr and Mrs Torpey that I wasn’t certain if I was grown up enough to care for their girls alone for the whole evening.
    I remember standing in the kitchen with Jim as he was getting the keys for the car. He gave me a determined look and said, ‘You’ll be fine.’ In that quiet way of his. I suspect he did this for many people.

  11. My Uncle Jimmy, and my Godfather, a sweet gentle soul – I will keep you in my prayers and in my heart. I will aspire to follow your example of strength, courage, and faith in everything you did. Only in your passing will you finally know peace and know all the ways in which you deeply touched those around you. You were the best Jimmy, Love Justin

  12. Dear Teresa, Jennifer, and Melissa. Rob and I are so sorry for your loss. We are thinking of you all. Much love, Sylvia

  13. Dear Teresa, Jennifer and Melissa,

    Jim was a beautiful friend,gift and blessing to us, and so very dear to John.
    The gift of Jim will be in our hearts forever’
    How deeply Jesus loves Jim , bringing him home with His Mother Mary on the feast of her Assumption.
    Our hearts and prayers are with you all.

  14. Dear Teresa, Jennifer and Melissa,

    Jim was a beautiful friend,gift and blessing to us, and so very dear to John.
    The gift of Jim will be in our hearts forever’
    How deeply Jesus loves Jim , bringing him home with His Mother Mary on the feast of her Assumption.
    Our hearts and prayers are with you all.

  15. Jennifer,

    I know your heart hurts and mine does for you. As we’ve gotten closer the last few years, I consider you to be a close friend. May God place his healing hand on all that is suffering during this time. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

  16. My heartfelt sympathy and prayers to you sweet Teresa and to your family for your loss. I understand, from Quincy, that you and your husband were soul mates, together forever. So shall you be to infinity dear one. May God bless you with divine comfort throughout this difficult time. We are thinking of you and miss you at WM. You are truly loved. With Fond Regards, Kay Hood (Windswept Marketing)

  17. I had the pleasure to work on several projects with Jim at St. Eugene’s over the years and always found him to be one of the most thoughtful and kind individuals I have known. Please accept our family’s deepest condolences and sympathies and know that your entire family is in our thoughts and prayers.

    Mike & Monica Browne
    Charlotte, NC

  18. Being a ‘Jim Torpey’ myself, I know that he must have been special!
    I’m very sorry for your loss!

    Respectfully,

    Jim Torpey
    Ione, Washington


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