Ian Frank Tortorici died defending Ukraine June 27
Donation protected
Update:
Any donation will help the family cover the expenses for Ian Frank Tortorici's funeral services and all expenses associated with returning his belongings from overseas.
Thank you so much for to everyone who donated.
The worst news in our lives was delivered on 6.30
The worst news in my life was delivered today.
My son was killed fighting for Ukraine. He contacted me March 2022 and said he was in country to help. He would not let me tell anyone and said he will come home when it's over. He ended up in the International Legion and fought on all fronts for 15 months straight. He experienced a lifetime of death and horrors but choose to stay.
He loved his team, his girlfriend and Ukraine.
He was not a Mercenary but a contracted member of the Ukrainian army with the International Legion and a U.S. Flag over his heart. He was a U.S. Marine, Park Service Ranger and ICE agent, a son, a brother and uncle and he gave up a lucrative and comfortable life to prevent WWIII.
He was the most selfless, bravest, kindest, unassuming and off center person on the planet and hated for anyone to know it. His name was Ian Frank Tortorici, my middle son.
He asked that if anything was to happen not to make a fuss but I have to share who he was. I'm grateful he shared photos and some stories with me, I'll treasure these for the rest of my life.
He had just gotten off the front lines, off duty and killed eating in a Restaurant by a missile strike called in by a collaborator.
Please respect his family, his memory and his honor, we are beyond crushed.
I love my son more than my life itself.
-Jon Frank
As many of you have heard, my younger brother was killed as a non combative in Ukraine on 6/27/23. He was just pulled off the line and was eating at a busy restaurant filled with civilians, journalists, and soldiers before a Russian missle hit the city of Kremetov.
My brother has lived a very full life at just 32 years old. He was an accomplished wrestler, a Marine, and had a bachelor's degree. He worked multiple odd jobs back -packed through Europe multiple times with nothing more than a backpack and sleeping bag liner. I would randomly get photos of him in Italy, Spain, Germany, Ukraine, Greece, and everywhere in between. He was a National Park Ranger before settling on a career with ICE.
He lived a simple lifestyle, full adventures and very little debt. He worked full time and paid his way through college. He bought the cheapest car and paid it off immediately. He had financial stability with a dream to one day live on a quiet farm anywhere in the world. He didn't care about luxury items or money. He lived for the experiences and the adventures.
He left all of this behind to join the Ukrainian Foreign Legion. I've known my brother was on the front lines for over a year. Our conversations were very short and told me not to tell anyone. He made it very clear he knew what could happen to him and accepted that outcome.
After his passing, I was able to meet some of his friends and the people he served with. I also met the woman he was dating, and he looked happier than I have ever seen him. I am glad he served with men he considered brothers and was able to find love while being surrounded by war.
To this day, I still don't fully understand why he felt the need to defend a country that wasn't his home. All I know is he had a warriors spirit and, like all worriors, answered the call.
We never know when our final hour is upon us. All we can do is live our lives on our terms, and my brother did just that.
I am proud of you, Ian
I am happy for the life you lived
I will honor your memory and look after our family.
-Anthony Frank Tortorici
My big brother was a hero. He always protected other people since he was young. He was the best big brother anyone could ask for, and the world is a worse place with him gone. He always wanted the best for everyone, and he always put everyone before himself. He was the type of guy to tell you, "go for the money and be selfish" while he secretly put money into your bank account or donated his time and resources to charity. He would say "Don't sacrifice for other people," while he went off to fight in Ukraine for what he believed in. For 15 months, he fought in the battles of Kiev, Severodonetsk, Bakhmut, Zaphorizia, and many other places that I'll likely never get to hear about. He loved defending innocent people, but it still hurts that he never got to have children, and that the children I will have won't get to meet their Uncle Ian. But nobody will ever forget him as long as I live, can speak, or have the little strength it takes to pull up a photograph of my big brother. In his brief 32 years in this world, he did more good and got to see so much more than the vast majority of people that live into old age.
My brother was always a guardian, caring the most about his family. When I was a little kid constantly in the hospital, he would read to me or distract me with funny faces so I wouldn't notice the needles. The very first time I was signed up for summer camp when I was 7, he signed up too as a volunteer at 14 so he could keep an eye on me. He would pick me up and get me a chair so I wouldn't have to sit on the wet floor. Ever since he was a kid, he always took care of other people in whatever capacity he was able to. When he signed himself up for Devil Pups, my family saw him running with the other Devil Pups. He was ahead of everyone else running backwards, waving at and encouraging them to keep going. That was my big brother. I heard that when he was in boot camp, he would dig foxholes for other recruits, and that he got in trouble for it. Ian didn't care about getting in trouble, he always just wanted to help whomever he could. He was the strongest of us, and he always used that strength to support other people.
I know he is resting at peace in eternal paradise, and I look forward to the day I get to see him again. But first I have to earn it to get there. I have to make him proud as he is watching over us.
-Taylor Frank
Organiser
Anthony Tortorici
Organiser
Laguna Hills, CA