MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR JOE TORP AT RCC

Joe Torp, RCC Board partner and friend, was well known to our community for his years of effort helping to make LGBT people more visible and accepted by the general public.  He was an educator and taught Art for many years in Antioch.  After his retirement, he and his partner, Conrad Smith (deceased), were very visible in the general community, serving on committees and panels, showing that gay people were everywhere and an integral part of our communities.

Joe was very interested in any activity that would help gay youth become more accepted and less harassed in school and community environments.  Because of this, he helped form BANGLE in Contra Costa County, which later became GLSEN-SFEB and then Ally Action (based in Concord).  BANGLE was able to place gay oriented literature and information books into every high school library in the county.  His activism was recognized by the Concord Human Rights Commission.  The Rainbow Community Service also recognized Joe and his partner, Conrad for their outstanding service to the community at Honors Night III in June 25, 1999.  Before moving to a senior living community, Joe was active with the RCC’s Men’s Social Group, the Senior Tea Social and People at Leisure (PAL) – the senior luncheon group.

Joe passed away very peacefully about 3:30 p.m. on the 16th of May.  He is remembered by his many friends and acquaintances in the gay community, his former students, and his many relatives living in the Central Valley.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 8th from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the RCC during the Senior Tea Social.

For more information, please call Raul at the RCC at (925) 692-0090 or email rcc@rainbowcc.org

Article written by John Duley, RCC Volunteer and Men’s Social Group Facilitator.  Joe’s photo courtesy of John Duley.