Born in Los Angeles, California April 24, 1930, Peter Armand Torre was a 1948 graduate of Loyola High School, earned a Bachelors Degree in Sociology from California State University, Long Beach under the GI Bill. A resident of Balboa Island, he considered it his home.
He entered the US Army in 1950 during the Korean War, and learned some tricks he would use later in life, at the Army Cooks and Bakers School. When he was discharged from the service, he returned to his hometown, working as a commercial fisherman and bartender throughout the 1950s. He became a concessionaire at Davey’s Locker, operating galleys on sportfishing boats during this time.
In 1967, while working as a bartender at the Quiet Woman in Corona del Mar, Peter - along with Robert J. Wilson and J. Mark Davidson concocted an idea for a restaurant — a lease was signed for a small take-out spot on Balboa Island, and a legend of Newport Beach hospitality was born. Charlie's Chili became a fixture in Newport Beach after moving to the Davey’s Locker landing on Lido Peninsula, with Peter by then the only visible and determined partner.
After 22 years of success with Charlie’s Chili, Peter, looking for new adventures, sold the restaurants. He returned to tending bar, which really was a way for him to hang out with his pals and get paid for it. The Little Knight, The Stag, Sid’s Place, Madeline, and Tony's Place were his homes away from home, and he enjoyed every minute of it.
His participation in the hijacking of the Balboa Island Ferry with members of the Balboa Island Sculling and Punting Society was one of the many highlights of his “retirement years”.
He leaves us with a lifetime of memories, of love, and of laughter. His good humor, and the way he carried himself to the end of his life, shine always as testament to the kind of man, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend he was.
Not a flower kind of person, nor did he want a big fuss made over his passing, a donation to Orangewood Children's Home in his name would be appropriate for those that wish to honor him.
On behalf of Peter's family, there are no words to express how grateful we are for the many calls and notes of support and love, during this difficult time.
Your many kindnesses to him, especially in the last year of his life, is something we will never forget.