Miami Beach, FL – September 15, 2016 – The South Beach surfing community is still mourning the loss of their brother Tony “Bird” Torrellio at the age of 44. Tony Bird was a South Beach staple both in and out of the water, one of a very few born and raised local crew of surfers. Standing at 6’2” and a solid mass of 200 lbs of muscle with a wingspan of a Pelican, Bird could always be found sitting on the outside of every wind swell and north swell at South Beach. Whether knee-high or overhead you could guarantee Tony was catching that wave and likely going right. Bird surfed with a power and flow that oozed style and could generate speed on absolutely nothing, and connect a sloppy 2-foot peak into a 4-turns-to-the-beach wave. I’d often say that Bird and the original local crew had a secret road map to the sand bars at South Pointe.

Tony spent his life surfing and raising his two beautiful children, Mia and Mikayla, along with his wife Alina Sanchez. When Tony wasn’t surfing he was busy molding the South Beach nightlife scene into what it is to today.  Together with his closest friends Tony Garcia and Tom Clark, Bird founded promotional company NFA (No Fuckin’ Around) and hosted the most lavish and legendary parties on South Beach through the late nineties and early 2000s. On Thursday, September 15, 2016 a paddle out memorial memorial was held at his favorite local surf spot where he rode his last wave, hosted by F1RST Surf Shop. Over 500 members of Tony’s family and extended family attended his paddle out and came together to honor the life of a true gentleman. We thank everyone in the South Florida community and beyond for their love and support. RIP Bird. We’ll promise to split the peak in your honor.

A Go Fund me Page was created for Tony’s family to help them out in this time of need: https://www.gofundme.com/2he8vzuk

Words by Mark Gamez

500 Friends & Family came out Thursday, September 15, 2016 for Tony “Bird” Torrellio’s Paddle Out

Photo By: Charlie Garcia

Bird was always sitting deepest and furthest out in the lineup and always picked off the bombs of the swell. Case and point.

Mark Gamez

Photo By: Charlie Garcia

Mia & Mikayla Sanchez-Torrellio celebrating their fathers life and legacy on at Tony “Bird” Torrellio’s Paddle Out September 15, 2016

Alina Sanchez, Tony Bird Torrellio, & Mia Torrellio at F1rst Surf Supply Company Relaunch on June 20, 2013

Alina Sanchez & Tony Bird Torrellio at Mark Leventhal Fundraiser at HaVen on January 28, 2014

Tommy Clark, Tony Bird Torrellio, & Melissa at Zen – 1998

Tommy Clark,  Tony Bird Torrellio, Tom Laroc, & Tony Garcia at NFA House Party on July 17, 2012

Tom LaRoc, Tommy Clark, Tony Garcia, & Tony Bird Torrellio at NFA House Party on July 17, 2012

Tony Bird, friend and Brother to many of us. I will miss you deeply, I know we will reunite again one day. I promise you I will take care of your daughters to the end, rest in peace my brother.

Tony Garcia

Mark Gamez, Tony Bird Torrellio, Scott Edward, & Rich Eagleston at F1rst Surf Supply Company Relaunch on June 20, 2013

In 1996 my brother passed away in a tragic car accident. I had plenty of friends that were supporting me during a dark time, but for whatever reason, Tony took the time out to go that extra mile for me. He let me laugh, cry, throw temper tantrums and helped me process it all. He became my big brother. I knew at that time he was a special person. Since then we’ve been inseparable and have traveled the world together. I look forward to our next surf trip.

Mark Gamez

Tony Bird Torrellio, Beau Bassett, & Jona Cerwinske at Jona Cerwinske: Stereofoam at Dragon Gallery on August 4, 2015 

Greg Frehling &  Tony Bird Torrellio at F1RST Surf Shop x Herschel Supply Co. on  February 15, 2014

Tony Bird – graceful, smooth, humble, kind, and a lot of fun. He had an aura; a magnetic spark that made everyone around him feel better instantly. I was blessed to feel that energy for 30 plus years.

Greg Frehling

Beau Bassett, Greg Frehling, Mark Gamez, Tony Bird Torrellio, & Robert Red Castellanos at F1RST Surf Shop x Herschel Supply Co. on February 15, 2014 

Conrad Gomez, Tony Bird Torrellio, Jona Cerwinske, David Simkins, Seth Browarnik, Flip Falca, Alejandro Gonzalaz, & Steve Lieberman at WorldRedEye.com 5 Year Anniversary Private Party at 1 Hotel South Beach on May 29, 2015 

September 15, 2016 – Paddle Out

Black & White Photos by: Lou Lozada

GALLERY SLIDER