Assembly Resolution No. 493
BY: M. of A. McMahon
MOURNING the death of Dr. Nelson Torre, renowned
physician, distinguished citizen, and devoted member
of his community
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavors
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Nelson Torre of Buffalo, New York, died on Saturday,
April 22, 2023, at the age of 88; and
WHEREAS, Son to parents who emigrated from Sicily, Dr. Nelson Torre
completed his primary education at PS #37 and attended St. Joseph's
Collegiate Institute from 1948 to 1952; and
WHEREAS, As a first generation college graduate, Dr. Nelson Torre
attended the University of Buffalo, earning a Bachelor of Science degree
in Pharmaceutical Sciences, cum laude, in 1956; he then went on to
graduate cum laude from SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse in
1961; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Nelson Torre served as a captain in the U.S. Army
Medical Corps at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri from 1966 to 1968; and
WHEREAS, Practicing as a Rheumatologist at Sisters of Charity
Hospital in Buffalo, NY, Dr. Nelson Torre became Chief of Medicine and
Program Director for internal medicine; and
WHEREAS, Exemplifying his leadership skills and credibility in his
field, Dr. Nelson Torre was a fellow of American College of Physicians
and a founding fellow of American College of Rheumatology; he was
board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine; and
WHEREAS, Having served as the Medical Director until 2007, Dr.
Nelson Torre co-founded the Physician Assistant program at Daemen
University in 1994 with former president Dr. Robert S. Marshall and Dr.
Charles Reedy; and
WHEREAS, The program, upholding a high standard of excellence,
community respect, and leadership, Dr. Nelson Torre's work created a
foundation and ultimately a pathway to success for the Physician
Assistant program at Daemen University; his commitment to the early
years of the program, mentoring the junior faculty, and his assistance
in gaining national accreditation provided invaluable leadership; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Nelson Torre also represented Daemen University at the
national level as a Commissioner for the Accreditation Review Commission
on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA); and
WHEREAS, In 1968, Dr. Nelson Torre joined the clinical faculty at
what is now the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the
University of Buffalo and was clinical professor of medicine beginning
in 1986, becoming professor emeritus in 2007; and
WHEREAS, Truly dedicated to the medical field and helping others,
Dr. Nelson Torre worked at the National Institutes of Health from 1992
to 1993; and
WHEREAS, A lifelong learner, Dr. Nelson Torre enjoyed reading
history, literature, and the works of Joseph Campbell in his retirement
years; he believed in the value of education and provided for the
college educations of his wife, children, and grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, A longtime member of the Park Country Club in
Williamsville, NY and a member of the Plantation Golf and Country Club
in Venice, Florida, Dr. Nelson Torre loved to spend time with his family
and play golf and bridge; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Nelson Torre and his wife Joyce, established the Joyce
Barrett Torre '90 and Nelson P. Torre, M.D. Endowed Scholarship Fund at
the State University of New York at Buffalo, providing merit-based
scholarships to students in the Physician Assistant Program and English
majors; Dr. Nelson Torre also established scholarship endowments at
both Daemen University and St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Nelson Torre is survived by his wife, Joyce, his
children Christine, Pamela, Nelson S. and Douglas, and his 11
grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Dr. Nelson Torre leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Dr. Nelson Torre and to express its deepest
condolences to his family; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Dr. Nelson Torre.
