Parishes work together to honor fallen firefighter
Robert Delaney of The Michigan Catholic
Photos by Gregg McIntosh
Published February 16, 2007
Even so, St. Hedwig Church was filled with firefighters from as far as Chicago and Toronto for the funeral of the 47-year-old Detroit firefighter who died after his fire truck was hit by an unlicensed driver Feb. 7.
An estimated 1,400 people were in the church, with another 600 or so watching via closed-circuit television in the basement.
Amid all the preparations, Fr. Zaorski had to find words to console Torkos' widow, Andrea. The couple, both originally from Slovakia, have a 17-month-old daughter, Monika, and Andrea Torkos is pregnant with their second child, a girl.
"Mostly it is just being present to the person, because it is a pain that is not going to be easily healed. But our faith tells us that our life here is temporary, and there is a life hereafter that is the fullness of life," Fr. Zaorski said last Sunday as he was preparing for the funeral.
 Torkos | Fr. Zaorski echoed descriptions of Torkos as a "gentle giant," and added, "He was a very kind, considerate person, well loved by his fellow firefighters — a quiet person who loved life, loved people and who was proud of his Slovak heritage."
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, in remarks before Mass, said, "I believe there is a place in heaven for Joe Torkos, because he didn't come here to take — he came here to serve."
And Deputy Chief Reginald Amos, his voice breaking with emotion, said, "Not only did I lose a colleague, but I lost a true friend. I remember so well the warm smile, firm handshake and positive conversation. Joe Torkos, as you take your eternal rest, know that as time goes on, we will never forget you, and we will meet again."
Longtime friend Joe Basler, a member of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish in Redford Township, remarked afterwards, "You know how people talk about someone being a stand-up guy? Well Joe was a stand-up guy. You know how they talk about someone being willing to give you the shirt off their back? Well, that was Joe Torkos."
In addition to the ceremonial aspects coordinated by firefighters, the funeral required the cooperation of clergy and people from several parishes, Fr. Zaorski said.
"Fr. Rob Wojciechowski got his people at St. Hedwig involved plus some from their cluster parish, St. Francis d'Assisi. And Fr. Ben Kosnac came to do parts of the Mass in the Slovak language, plus he brought the choir from his parish, SS. Cyril & Methodius in Sterling Heights," he said.
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