SALISBURY – The Bishop Joaquin Torres, 76, of Salisbury, died Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006, at his residence.

Born Oct. 30, 1930, in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico, Bishop Torres was a son of the late Angela Santos Torres and Joaquin Torres. Educated in Puerto Rican schools, he was a bishop with the Church of the Nazarene. Mr. Torres was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Surviving are his wife, Isabel Anaida Torres, whom he married May 1, 1954; son Hector J. Torres of Salisbury; daughters Migdalina Martinez and husband Edgar of Woodbridge, N.J., and Rachel Mendez and husband Jose L. of Bloomfield, N.J.; two brothers; five sisters; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

The body will be cremated and a service held in Puerto Rico at a later date.

Lyerly Funeral Home is serving the Torres family.