TORO, Edward L. of Dorchester, Massachusetts passed away on November 25, 2020.

Ed was born and grew up in Manhattan. He attended Cathedral College Prep, 555 West End Avenue, Manhattan, NY graduating in 1968.  He next attended and graduated from Queens College and he went on to the University of Iowa. He began his career in Audiology at Mass Eye and Ear where he met his future wife, Peg Toro. Ed later graduated from Boston College Law School and began a career serving the public in various positions; primarily on behalf of abused and neglected children at the Department of Children and Families where he was a compassionate advocate and beloved colleague.

In retirement, he loved being a Gallery Instructor at the Museum of Fine Arts and having more time to spend with his family.

ED was the Beloved husband of Margaret R. (Ross) Toro. Loving father of Gregory Toro, and David Toro and his wife Melba. Proud grandfather of Matthew Edward Toro. Also survived by a caring extended family.

Due to the ongoing health crisis, funeral services will remain private. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ed may be made to the World Food Program or to a charity of your choice.

Acknowledgements

Message from Hon. Terry Craven (ret) November 28, 2020 12:03 PM
________________________________________ To The Toro Family: Attorney Toro appeared before me for many years as a DCF attorney. He had the most difficult job in the world in preparing cases involving child abuse and he did it with intelligence and compassion. He was an excellent lawyer and a formidable opponent at trial. What I, and all the other judges at Boston Juvenile Court, admired about Atty Toro was his humanity towards all people and most especially how he cared for his social workers and their emotional well being. He was a good man who made a significant difference in this world. I know that I am better person for having met him. I will miss his great smile and his gentle spirit.. I cannot imagine the loss that you all are experiencing now, but hopefully you will realize that his kind and loving spirit is all around you . Rest In Peace Attorney Toro, you lived a good life, you kept the faith and you changed lives for the better.

Message from Rebbecca November 29, 2020 11:37 AM
________________________________________ Ed loved his life and family very much. He had a real love for his DCF ‘family’ too which included publishing everyone’s birthdates, with respectful exclusion of our birth years, He also provided a constant supply of jokes, and Cheetos. I remember Ed forming and performing with a steel band, which included and showcased his teenage sons.. He described a wonderful vacation in recent years up at the Finger Lakes. Ed worked tirelessly to support all family endeavors, especially his oson’s wedding. He was so proud of his sons, and daughter in law. I remember Ed and Peg formally renewing their marital vows. They invited all of us. Their love for each other flourished. These are a few of my memories; I know Ed’s family has a thousand wonderful memories to share through the years. with each other and with their growing grandson, Matthew.

Message from Jeanne Hogan November 29, 2020 11:48 AM
________________________________________ Peg, Greg, David and the Toro Family - I can’t begin to imagine the depth of your grief. I am so sorry for your loss. All of us who knew Ed, loved Ed. It was impossible to be around Ed and not appreciate the love he had for his beloved Peg and and his sons. He was so proud of you. I feel so fortunate to have known Ed and to have worked with him for many years. As colleagues in a high stress environment, we developed a very special work family at Boston Legal. Ed was one of the original “losers.”. Ed was such a special person. He was kind, gentle and so funny. He had the best sense of humor. Ed was always coming up with ways to keep us laughing. He was our family spirit, our cheerleader, our rock. Ed remembered all the birthdays and anniversaries. He celebrated every victory and mourned every loss with us. Whenever one of us needed cheering, Ed was there. Even when Ed was having his own struggles, he was there for us. There was no one who knew Ed that didn’t feel loved and appreciated by him. It was impossible to be in a bad mood when you were with Ed. Years ago I was in the hospital. Ed loaded a group from the office into his mini van and came to visit me. That’s just how Ed rolled. He was always thinking of others. I will miss Ed. His easy laugh, the twinkle in his eyes, his mischievous spirit. Ed was one of a kind. I hope we can all keep Ed in our hearts, and with the kindness and humility that Ed taught us, go forward and work to make the world a better place for Ed’s grandson. Rest In Peace Edzo. Love you, Jeanne.

Message from Martin Heslin November 29, 2020 6:27 PM
________________________________________ In our Cathedral Prep high school yearbook (class of ’68), we voted Ed “Senior who gave the most to Cathedral,” our highest acclamation. Ed’s career as a lawyer dedicated to public service on behalf of abused and neglected children demonstrated his passion to protect and improve the lives of the most vulnerable, the highest calling in the legal profession. Ed’s devotion to his wife, Peg, and his family manifests the vitality and dignity of the Christian vocation of sacramental marriage. Thank you, Ed, for the inspiration of a life well lived. Martin Heslin, Cathedral Prep Class of 1968

Message from Brenda Ross November 29, 2020 8:16 PM
________________________________________ Dearest Peg, Greg, Dave, Melba, and Matthew, I am so sad at Ed's sudden passing. He was so much fun and his love for all of us extended family was tremendous. I am so thankful for all the times I got to be with him over the years. Several specific memories stand out, playing Trivial Pursuit at your home over Christmas, the surprise party he threw Peg on her 50th birthday and his covert phone calls to us filling us in on the details, watching the video performance of him in A Christmas Carol in Mom's back room, drawing from his wealth of movie knowledge, listening to him talk of his family history, boy he was a good story teller! The epic snowstorm in Buffalo and his cheery manner as he shoveled us out was just a glimpse of his servant's heart. And the photos he'd take at all the family gatherings are such a treasure to have. My heart breaks for you all at this time. I look forward to being able to actually seeing you and giving you all hugs. Keeping you all in prayer, Love, Brenda

Message from Kevin Bubanas November 29, 2020 11:58 PM
________________________________________ Ed was an amazing colleague and I am very grateful I got the chance to work with him. One of the first things I noticed about Ed was how hard he worked. He was usually the last one to turn his light off and leave the office for the day. This work practice of his continued up until the day he retired. He was one of the kindest people I have ever met. Ed sincerely enjoyed brightening the day of those around him, whether it was by sharing a piece of trivia or helping us see the silver lining in whatever was frustrating us that day. He was famous in the office for always making sure that everyone at DCF Boston Legal got a card for their birthday. Ed spoke lovingly and often of his family and my heart, thoughts and prayers are with them during this very difficult time. May he Rest In Peace.

Message from Nancy R. Isikoff November 30, 2020 3:45 PM
________________________________________ Dear Peg and family: I am heartbroken to hear about Ed's sudden passing. For the decades that I worked with Ed at Boston Legal, he was always the nicest, kindest, most gentle souls one could ever hope to meet and about whom everyone could unanimously agree was loved and respected by all. For years, Ed was the thoughtful colleague who kept track of every birthday in the office and always made sure there was a card and balloons left on your desk to mark the occasion. If Ed went on a family vacation, he always took the time to come back with some little memento for everyone in the office. He always seemed to be thinking about what he could do for those around him. His passion and devotion to his family was obvious to all - he loved to talk about his beloved Peg and his boys. He was devoted to his job at DCF and routinely worked late to prepare for his cases. He was an inspiration to all of us in his commitment to his job, his colleagues and most of all his family. He personified decency and will be sorely missed. Nancy Isikoff

Message from Charles Balvo December 1, 2020 4:28 AM
________________________________________ I am a classmate from Cathedral Prep (Class of 1968) and although we have not been very much in contact over the years, they were renewed when we celebrated the 50th anniversary of our high school graduation in June 2018. Ed was one of the leaders of our high school class and I am not surprised to read from other messages the way in which he lived and the impact that he made on the lives of others. May he rest in peace. Charles Balvo

Message from Joe Michon--Cathedral Prep class of 1968 December 1, 2020 10:59 AM
________________________________________ Ed and I first met in high school at age 14 or so. During those formative years Ed and I spent much time together sharing music, drama, laughter, and joy. One of our first jobs at about age 15 was sorting mail in separate post offices in New York City. Our shifts were from 6pm to 10pm but afterward we would often meet at a favorite night eatery or perhaps Rockefeller Center where we would share work stories or cram for an upcoming test at school the next day. Later, during his RPI days we continued to stay in touch. He was my most beloved childhood and young adult life friend. I will miss his spirit, intellect, fun loving nature and depth of character until we meet again in heaven.

 

Anyone else wishing to express kind comments and have them published in Ed L Toro's memory can do so by sending an email to Hegney750Apt9@aol.com