TORRENCE

Timothy Shawn Torrence passed away peacefully but suddenly at his home on Friday, March 8, 2013, at the age of 42.

His life began on Jan. 16, 1971, at Lackland AFB, in San Antonio, Texas. He moved to Grand Isle in June 1972, when his father was transferred there with the U.S. Coast Guard. He attended elementary school on Grand Isle and junior high school in Golden Meadows. He was a graduate of South Lafourche High School.

After graduation, Shawn enrolled in three-month apprentice seaman’s course at Louisiana Marine and Petroleum Institute in Houma. Following his graduation, he was hired by Petrol Marine as an ordinary seaman and remained with them until they were sold to Hornbeck. During that time he advanced to 500 Ton Mate and the company was bought by Tidewater. He advanced to a 1600 Ton Ocean Master at the age of 26. After leaving Tidewater, he was employed by Kim Susan, Inc. in Larose until his untimely death. He was the senior captain with the company and very highly regarded by all who worked with him and knew him. A Master Mariner and excellent ship handler, he spent his entire seagoing career on offshore supply vessels.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and most outdoor activities. He was once briefly married and had no children. His one true love was the sea. He also had a passion for photographing sunsets at sea, which were beyond compare.

He is survived by his mother, Rosemary of Sunrise Beach, Texas; his father, Timothy and stepmother, Carolyn, of Larose; two sisters, Libby (David) Horn, and nieces Trista and Tory and their children, and Rene (Eric) Vanderzee, and nephews Austin and Sterling; an uncle, Terry (Eva) Torrence; an aunt, Beverly Torrence and her companion, John.

Shawn was loved by all who knew him. A kind and gentle soul, he loved his family and friends, and he drove around with a teddy bear strapped in the back seat of his truck, a reflection of his personality.

While we mourn his untimely loss, his life will be celebrated and all who knew him are invited to attend a memorial service on Wednesday, March 13 at Brown-McGehee Funeral Home, 610 Avenue F in Bogalusa, from 1-3 p.m. He desired that his remains be cremated; burial at sea will follow at a later date per his wishes.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that a donation to a favorite charity be made in his name.