Ralph Torr ... longtime state rep, city councilor; at 93

ROCHESTER - Ralph Willis Torr of Rochester died on Oct. 27, 2024, after a brief illness.
Ralph was born on Aug. 8, 1931, in Rochester on his family homestead to Franklin and Bernice Torr.
He attended school in Rochester before enlisting in the Air Force in 1949. While serving his country during the Korean War Ralph was a member of the Air Force Air Rescue Squadron where he flew more than 100 missions and helped to save countless lives. He was highly decorated for his service during the war, and serving our country was an immense source of pride for him.
Upon returning home from Korea he married the love of his life Pauline Perron. They were stationed in Tacoma, Wash., before returning to Cape Cod Air Station. After he was injured in a serious accident they moved back home with their two sons and after a year of hospitalization, Ralph turned his attention to healing and to begin the journey that would see him becoming one of the pioneers of mobile home development in the area.

Along with his brother Frank, Ralph built Polly Ann Mobile Home Park in Dover After turning his sights toward more development in this industry, he moved his family back to his roots in Rochester where he developed West Wind Estates I and West Wind Estates II.
Ralph served in the New Hampshire House of Representatives for 16 years and was one of the longest serving members of the Rochester City Council. He felt a great commitment to the citizens of Rochester and was vigilant in his responsibility of helping to keep the City of Rochester moving forward in a sensible manner. Service to country and to his hometown were among his greatest sources of pride. He knew that ideas and opinions were always different between people, but in the end a good conversation or laugh about things was of great importance.
He also harkened back to his family roots by raising Hereford cows on his forever farm. It was not unusual for one or two cows to leave the pasture in search of "dad". If they did not find him, they were then content to stand or lay down in the middle of the road until he came to bring them back to the pasture. Ralph loved animals of all kinds and caring for them gave him much joy.
Ralph was predeceased by his wife Pauline of whom he shared 62 years of marriage. His father Franklin, mother Bernice, brother Frank, and brother David. He is survived by his children, Ralph Torr, Mark Torr, Wayne Torr his wife Tricia and his daughter Lynn and husband Timothy Williams. He has 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.