Add your memory

Contribute to honoring and remembering a life well lived by adding a memory of your own below.

Thank you!

Downloading will start any minute now

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Jose Felicito Chay Torres
Passed away on Jan 11, 2025
Jose Felicito Chay Torres
1944
 - 
2025
The story of Jose Felicito
Dr. José Chay Torres July 10, 1944 - January 11, 2025 It is with great sadness that the family of Dr. José Felicito Chay Torres announces his passing. José died on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at the age of 80 in Orange County, California. José was born on July 10, 1944 in Guatemala City, Guatemala. He is survived by his wife, Julie; siblings Maria Piedad (Juan), Maria del Carmen—Marilu (Edwin) and Jorge; sons, Jose David (Ingrid), David and Alex. In addition, he has 11 nieces and nephews and 22 grand-nieces and -nephews. Many of them regarded him as another father. He was predeceased by his parents, Francisco Apararicio Chay and Maria Victoria Torres; brother, Francisco, and sister, Elsa (Carlos). José earned his degree in dentistry at the Universidad San Carlos. He had special memories of his time serving as a dentist in Sololá, near Lake Atitlán after finishing his studies. He began his career in dentistry in Guatemala in 1971 and practiced there until 1982. In 1982 he ventured to Israel to work as a volunteer dentist on Kibbutz Ashdot Ya'akov for six months. After his stint in Israel he came to the United States and began working on getting his license to practice in California. While he was preparing to secure his license he was hired as a special diseases investigator in the Department of Public Health at the County of Orange. At that time (mid 1980s) the HIV/AIDS crisis was at its peak. José was able to counsel Spanish-speaking patients who came in to be tested. In that position he also participated in the creation of a fotonovela that aimed to provide Spanish speakers with information regarding the risk of getting AIDS. The fotonovela became a model for health departments across the country. Upon receiving his license to practice dentistry in California he began his dental career in the United States focused on public health dentistry for the County of Orange, California. José was proud of his achievement in Toastmasters, where he served as Area Governor. He also served as an usher at the Church of the Messiah and as a leader in Boy Scout Troop 36, where Alex and David were scouts. A funeral service will take place on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 11 a.m. PST at the Church of the Messiah, 614 N. Bush Street, Santa Ana, California 92780. The service will be live streamed for those who are not able to attend in person. Use this link to join the memorial service: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHiOA6Rw7nBAPtebNiUnJnw   Dr. José Chay Torres 10 de julio de 1944 - 11 de enero de 2025 Con gran tristeza la familia de Dr. José Felicito Chay Torres anuncia su fallecimiento. José murió el sábado 11 de enero de 2025 a la edad de 80 años en el condado de Orange, California. José nació el 10 de julio de 1944 en la Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala. Le sobreviven su esposa, Julie; hermanos María Piedad (Juan), María del Carmen—Marilu (Edwin) y Jorge; hijos, José David (Ingrid), David y Alex. Además, tiene 11 sobrinas y sobrinos y 22 sobrinos y sobrinas nietas. Muchos de ellos lo consideraban como un padre más. Falleció antes que sus padres, Francisco Apararicio Chay y María Victoria Torres; hermano, Francisco, y hermana, Elsa (Carlos). José obtuvo su título en odontología en la Universidad San Carlos. Tenía recuerdos especiales de su etapa como dentista en Sololá, cerca del lago Atitlán, después de terminar sus estudios. Inició su carrera en odontología en Guatemala en 1971 y ejerció allí hasta 1982. En 1982 se aventuró a Israel para trabajar como dentista voluntario en el Kibbutz Ashdot Ya'akov durante seis meses. Después de su paso por Israel vino a los Estados Unidos y comenzó a trabajar para obtener su licencia para ejercer en California. Mientras se preparaba para obtener su licencia, fue contratado como investigador de enfermedades especiales en el Departamento de Salud Pública del Condado de Orange. En ese momento (mediados de los años 1980) la crisis del VIH/SIDA estaba en su apogeo. José pudo asesorar a los pacientes de habla hispana que acudieron para hacerse la prueba. En ese cargo también participó en la creación de una fotonovela que tenía como objetivo brindar a los hispanohablantes información sobre el riesgo de contraer SIDA. La fotonovela se convirtió en un modelo para los departamentos de salud de todo el país. Al recibir su licencia para ejercer la odontología en California, comenzó su carrera dental en los Estados Unidos enfocándose en la odontología de salud pública para el condado de Orange, California. José estaba orgulloso de sus logros en Toastmasters, donde se desempeñó como Gobernador de Área. También sirvió como acomodador en la Iglesia del Mesías y como líder en la Tropa 36 de Boy Scouts, donde Alex y David eran exploradores. Se llevará a cabo un funeral el sábado 22 de febrero de 2025 a las 11 a. m. PST en la Iglesia del Mesías, 614 N. Bush Street, Santa Ana, California 92780. El servicio se transmitirá en vivo para aquellos que no puedan asistir. en persona. Utilice este enlace para unirse al servicio conmemorativo: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHiOA6Rw7nBAPtebNiUnJnw
Download
Share it

A living memory

Leave a lasting tribute by sharing a cherished memory or story. Your words help preserve their legacy and bring comfort to others who remember them.

A living memory

Leave a lasting tribute by sharing a cherished memory or story. Your words help preserve their legacy and bring comfort to others who remember them.

Add your memory

Contribute to honoring and remembering a life well lived by adding a memory of your own below.

Thank you!

Downloading will start any minute now

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.