Enrique “Kito” Torres Jr. left his hometown of San Benito, Texas, as a young man, traveling more than 1,400 miles by car to Aurora, Illinois, with his mother, Ramona, and his newlywed wife, Josefa “Chefi.”

Before leaving San Benito, Kito and Chefi had just been married by the justice of the peace, with Kito’s grandmother, Juana Saavedra Lucio, serving as a witness on their marriage license.

And because Kito was a car guy, the car itself is worth remembering. It was a minty cream-colored 1962 Chevrolet Impala, a two-door hardtop. In that car, Kito, Chefi, and Ramona set out for Illinois, carrying with them the promise of work and the hope of building a new life in Aurora.

That journey became the beginning of 59 years of marriage for Kito and Chefi. At a time when factory jobs were plentiful, Kito found his place in Aurora and began what would become a 45-year career with Caterpillar.

Together, Kito and Chefi built a life, raised their family, welcomed grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and created a home where family remained at the center of their lives.

Kito had a natural interest in cars and mechanics. He was often found tinkering under the hood of his own car and was always willing to lend a hand to family and friends when their cars needed attention. It was one of the many ways he quietly helped the people around him.

Kito loved playing ball. He played softball in the local Latin American Club league, where his brother-in-law Ernie also played. Their shared love of the sport created a special closeness between them. Kito also played baseball in the Chapa Realty League in the Aurora League.

Kito was also a member of AMVETS, another part of the Aurora community where he formed friendships and knew many people.

His love of the game continued as a Little League coach, where he enjoyed teaching young players, encouraging them, and helping them develop their skills and confidence.

Kito and Ernie were also devoted fans of Major League Baseball and especially their beloved Chicago Cubs, following them through thick and thin—mostly through the many losses and occasional close wins.

And, of course, Kito loved watching sports on TV at home. Whether following a game or settling in to watch his Cubs, sports remained part of the everyday rhythm of his life.

When the Cubs finally won the World Series in 2016, Kito found a special way to remember Ernie Alvarez, who had passed away. He arranged for a local marquee to display the message: “Ernie Alvarez is smiling from heaven from the Cubs World Series win!”

It was a fitting tribute and a glimpse of Kito’s quiet way of showing how deeply he cared. He was not someone who had to have an opinion about everything, but at the moments that mattered, he could say something unexpectedly tender and meaningful.

Through the years, Kito came to know an extraordinary number of people. His years playing baseball and softball brought many friendships, as did his 45 years at Caterpillar. He knew people through the leagues, the community, and through the place where trophies for the teams were manufactured.

Kito simply did not know a stranger. Whether it was someone from baseball, a friend from work, an old acquaintance, or someone he had just met, conversation came easily to him. Wherever he went, it seemed there was someone he knew—or someone who soon would know him.

Kito rarely spoke poorly of others or participated in gossip. His life was centered around the people he loved. He worked, enjoyed his beers, went home, and spent time with his family. Family was where he was most comfortable and where he spent so much of his life.

And then there was his music. Kito enjoyed his cars, baseball, a few beers, and Electric Light Orchestra—ELO—was his favorite band. That may surprise a few people and bring a smile to those who knew him best.

Kito was the only son among seven children. He was born between his three older sisters, Toni, Irene, and Rachel, followed by his younger sisters Betty, Mary Jane, and Debbie.

Being the only boy in such a large family gave him plenty of opportunities to tease and joke. He flirted with the girls, chatted with the older ladies, and loved teasing just about everyone.

And, as his sisters would probably agree, Kito was a bit of a mama’s boy. He loved his mother deeply, and that bond stayed with him throughout his life.

Kito was the son of Enrique Torres and Ramona Lucio Torres Rodriguez, both deceased.

Like all families, theirs had its challenges. Kito stood firmly by his family and did what he could to provide and protect them. Life does not always unfold perfectly, and neither do our choices, but he provided a home where his children could grow and later welcomed their children into that same home.

His grandchildren became a special part of his world. Like so many grandparents, life became increasingly about the grandchildren—loving them, helping them, and making room for them in his life and home.

Kito was preceded in death by his beloved grandmother, Ama Juana Saavedra Lucio, and grandfather, Guadalupe Lucio; his parents, Enrique Torres and Ramona Lucio Torres Rodriguez; his father’s sisters, Delores Torres Garcia and Ma Lupe Torres; his sister Antonia “Toni” (Valdo) Gomez; his sister Irene (Mauro) Gonzalez, and their son Mauro Jr. Gonzalez; Ernesto Alvarez Jr.; his great-niece Lauren Klespitz, and great nephew Cobretti Rodriguez.

He was also preceded in death by Uncle Demetrio Lucio; Aunt Gloria Becerra; Uncle Manuel Becerra.

Kito is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Josefa “Chefi”; his daughter, Denise (Danny) Clark, who remained an important and loved part of Kito’s family; and his son, Tony (Krista) Torres.

He is also survived by his grandchildren Tyler (Alli) Clark; Justin, Alicia; and Jordan Clark; and by Justin’s sons, Kito’s great-grandsons, Jramaii and Adrian.

And one more beloved member of the family deserves his place here: Ryot, the family Pitbull, who may have spoken a different language, but understood love, companionship, and family just as well as anyone. Ryot was part of Kito’s home and family life and, like everyone else who loved him, will feel his absence.

Kito is survived by his sisters and family members Rachel Alvarez; Beda (Noe) Hernandez; Mary Jane (Albert) Mata; and Debra Torres and Diana Smart.

Among his many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews are Beckie Benavides, and her adult children Stephanie and Louie Benavides; Imelda Klespitz, and Jim and Ian Klespitz; his nephew Ernesto Alvarez III and his great-nephew Enrique Alvarez; Noe Hernandez Jr. and his former wife, Nikki; Brittani and Patrick Dill, and their child Omni; and Hunter Hernandez and his wife, Rainey, and their children Emmett and Lily.

Also among this large family are Cindy Hernandez Wilson; Heather and Eric Szuki and their children Kellen and Dylan; Desirae and Will Stearns and their children Juliana and Jayden; Brooke Wilson and her child Zayda; and Cody Hernandez Nolan.

Kito is also survived by his beloved Aunt Maria “Chole” LaFon and Aunt Irma Lucio Gibbs.

After 59 years of marriage, Chefi’s family was Kito’s family too. The relationships built over nearly six decades became part of the family life he and Chefi shared.

Chefi’s parents, Salvador Tagle and Dora Tagle, preceded Kito in death.

Kito is survived by Minerva and Robert Galvan.

He is also survived by Nena and Ray Rodriguez; Salvador Tagle Jr., and Cindy and Eloy Rosas.

Kito came from a large family, and over the decades his life touched an equally large circle of people. There were family members, baseball friends, coworkers from Caterpillar, old acquaintances, neighbors, and people he simply met along the way. He enjoyed their company, and they enjoyed his humor, his teasing, and his easy way with people.

He had a lot of good times.

His life was made up of family gatherings, baseball and softball, coaching Little League, cheering for the Cubs, watching sports at home, cars, the music of ELO, 45 years of hard work, laughter, a few beers, and countless ordinary moments that become precious with time.

This is a time to remember Kito for those good moments and for the many years shared with him. It is a time for his large family and his many friends to come together, tell the stories, laugh at the memories, and give love and comfort to one another.

After a lifetime in which Kito never seemed to know a stranger, there are many people left with a story to tell about him.

Enrique “Kito” Torres Jr. will be missed, remembered, and loved by the many people whose lives he was part of.

Visitation will be held at Daleiden Mortuary (220 N. Lake St. Aurora, IL 60506) on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 from 4:00p.m. – 7:00p.m.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church (801 Oak St. North Aurora, IL 60542) on Thursday, September 24, 2026 at 10:00a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks those wishing to honor Kito’s memory to consider a contribution to the family. Your kindness and support during this difficult time are deeply appreciated by Chefi and the family.

Arrangements entrusted to Daleiden Mortuary, Aurora, Illinois – providing funeral and cremation services to Aurora, Montgomery, Sugar Grove, Oswego, Batavia, Yorkville and surrounding communities.