Walter Harold Torello was born on August 24, 1912 in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of Walter and Mary Torello. His parents were both Lithuanian immigrants who came to the United States in 1907. He had a younger sister, Louisa, born around 1915, and a brother, John, born around 1920.
In 1920 the family was living in Boston, where the father Walter worked as a "moulder" in an iron foundry. Ten years later the father does not appear on the census, and the mother is working at "cleaning buildings". Sister Mary is also working as a packer in a shoe factory.
By 1940 Walter was living at 99 S. 4th Street in New York City, with his wife Mary, and children Eleanor, age five, and Richard age one. Walter is supporting the family by working as a laborer in building construction, with an approximate income of $680.
At the age of 25 Walter had enlisted in the New York National Guard in Brooklyn on April 1, 1938. He joined the Co F 102nd QM Regiment. When World War II began, he also registered for the draft. He gave his address as 75 S. 2nd Street in Brooklyn. He stated that he was unemployed, and wife Mary was the person who would always know his address. He was described as 6 feet tall, weighed 200 pounds, with brown eyes, brown hair, a dark complexion, and a "2 inch scar on left wrist."
In 1950 Walter and Mary were still in New York City, and both were working. Walter was once again working in construction as a ditch digger, and Mary was working in a factory "curling condenser bands."
Walter's Social Security number was issued in New York prior to 1951, and his last residence was in Brooklyn.
Walter Harold Torello died November 12, 1980 in Cumberland Diagnostic Treatment Center. He was buried December 16, 1980 on Hart Island.
Sources: Ancestry.com; US, Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; US, WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947; 1920, 1930, 1940, and 1950 US Federal Censuses; NY, US, NY National Guard Service Cards, 1917-1954.