Family members are devastated as they keep in mind a former Marine from Orange County who was killed in a missile strike in Ukraine.
Ian “Frank” Tortorici, 32, was a Marine Corp. veteran, a former regulation enforcement officer and a paramedic who was killed in Ukraine.
“He actually beloved that nation,” mentioned Jon Frank, Tortorici’s father. “He would backpack and he was trying to sooner or later retire and open a farm. He has a lot kindness in his physique that he would at all times do the appropriate factor however by no means seemed for any sort of recognition. All the time optimistic, at all times glad, at all times enjoyable.”
Fifteen months in the past, Tortorici left his Lake Forest job with U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement and enlisted within the Ukrainian Worldwide Legion.
The legion was a gaggle of overseas troopers contracted members of the Ukrainian army. Tortorici fought on the frontlines in opposition to invading Russian troops and offered medical care to each troopers and civilians.
“He was doing essentially the most harmful work that anyone was doing over there,” mentioned Frank. “I didn’t need him to go. I begged him to return house.”
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Ian “Frank” Tortorici, a former Marine from Orange County, was killed in a missile strike in Ukraine. (Tortorici Household) -
Ian “Frank” Tortorici, a former Marine from Orange County, was killed in a missile strike in Ukraine. (Tortorici Household) -
Ian “Frank” Tortorici, a former Marine from Orange County, was killed in a missile strike in Ukraine. (Tortorici Household) -
Ian “Frank” Tortorici, a former Marine from Orange County, was killed in a missile strike in Ukraine. (Tortorici Household) -
Ian “Frank” Tortorici, a former Marine from Orange County, was killed in a missile strike in Ukraine. (Tortorici Household)
However Tortorici insisted he wouldn’t return house till the warfare was over, his household mentioned. In his final cellphone name, he instructed his father he was taking a number of days off within the japanese metropolis of Kramatorsk.
However on June 27, Russian missiles struck the town heart the place Tortorici was eating at an area pizzeria. He was killed alongside greater than a dozen different civilians together with kids.
“I want he was by no means there,” Frank mentioned. “I perceive why they’re preventing. It’s their nation. Their nation’s been invaded. Their persons are getting slaughtered and he’s there as a result of he wished to be there.”
The Laguna Hills Excessive College graduate visited Ukraine quite a few instances after serving within the Marines. He made mates and fell in love with a Ukrainian lady whom he had deliberate to marry as soon as the warfare ended.
“He’s anyone that I look to date,” mentioned Frank. “He’s my hero.”
Along with his father, Tortorici is survived by his mom, two brothers and two sisters.
His household is planning to carry a funeral at Riverside Nationwide Cemetery.
