Torrey A. McCall, a native son, born in Miss Tidbury’s Nursing Home, Vancouver Street at Johnson, on November 6, 1924, passed away on February 10, 2013. He leaves his wife, Barbara; three sons, Marshall L. (Susan), Thornhill, ON, James M. (Sophie-Dorothée), Montreal, QC and Ross A., Victoria, BC; grandson, Neil T., Thornhill, ON; and two granddaughters, Laura-Isobel and Rose-Lyne, Montreal, QC. He also leaves his nephew, David A. McCall (Debbie), Victoria; nieces, Barbara Williams (Daryl), Sharron Higgins, Carol Ellis and Reta Holdridge, Victoria; and many relatives in Victoria, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Morris Twp, Huron Cty, ON. He was predeceased by his brother Graham E. in 1980 and sister Lauretta M. Holdridge in 1990. Torrey was a second-generation Funeral Director with McCall Bros. Funeral Directors Ltd. He attended Boys’ Central School, Victoria High School and Mount Royal College, Calgary. He was a member of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Victoria Golf Club and The Union Club of B.C.; also Confederation Lodge #116 since 1950; Scottish Rite and Concordant Bodies and Victoria Shrine Club, GizehTemple, A.A.O.N.M.S., Vancouver, BC. In WWII, he served with The Royal Canadian Artillery (K5488, Mobile Signals). Words cannot adequately express our gratitude to our many friends for their kindness and expressions of sympathy. If desired, please remember those in need through your favourite charity.
“At the end of life, we will not be asked how much pleasure we had in it, but how much service we gave in it; not how full it was of success, but how full it was of sacrifice; not how happy we were, but how helpful we are; not how ambition was gratified, but how love was served.”
A Private Family Service was held at McCall Bros., Johnson and Vancouver Streets. Private Committal Service and Entombment in The Royal Oak Mausoleum.
“To live in hearts ‘and memories’ we leave behind is not to die.”
Hallowed Ground – Thomas Campbell,
1777-1844
Virtus junxit mors non separabit.
“Virtue has united, death shall not separate.”
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com.
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Brad Wells
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Mark Wells I am very saddened to learn of Torrey’s passing,he will greatly missed
by all who knew him.Torrey was a genuine Human being,loved life and all the people that came in contact with him.The Wells’ boys grew up knowing and respecting Torrey,and was my Dad’s best friend.
All our thoughts are with Barbara and family, at this difficult time of bereavement.Mark Wells & Family
Nanaimo,B.C.
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Burt Wells We are very saddened to hear of Torrey’s passing. On behalf of my family, and my late father Ab Wells, (one of Torrey’s closest friends, masonic brother, and lifelong golf buddy), we send heart felt condolences to Barbra and family.
Proudly, I called Torrey a true friend for over 50 yrs. There was never a finer gentleman (gentle man) in the truest sense of the word! The Wednesday VGC lifelong foursome (Fellner, Bigelow, Wells, McCall) are now reunited, teeing off and strolling the greenest fairways of all. RIP my friend.
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Jason Jones I’ll miss you Torrey! Always enjoyed our chats in Confederation Lodge and at my desk at BCAA!
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Maxine Knowlton David & Family, While I didn’t know your uncle I would like to let you know that you are in my thoughts at this difficult time.
Maxine
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Ian Buckingham Dear Family:
I am sorry to hear of Torrey’s passing , but I am so thankful that i knew him! He was a fine gentleman with an ever present smile & a warm greeting.
I shall miss him!
God bless you all!
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Rob & Deborah Benbow Dear McCall Family;
We would like to express our sincere condolences on the recent passing of Torey, and send our thoughts and prayers to you and your family at this very difficult time.
Torey always exhibited great kindness and compassion towards those less fortunate than himself, and was a Tower of Strength to all during the most stressful time of their Life.
He was your ‘quintessential gentleman’, thoughtful, and loving, and was very highly respected throughout this community, and his profession. His bubbly personality, positive attitude, and personal caring affected the lives of many.
No words of comfort are quite enough to replace Torey’s loss. Please pass our deepest sympathies on to all in the Family..
Yours in sympathy,
Rob & Deborah Benbow
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Joan Bates My condolences to the family. Torrey was a friend and a Masonic brother to my husband Wilf.
Joan Bates
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Chris Dorrington To David, the McCall family and staff, please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of Torrey. Although I had not seen him in many years now, I will always remember his kindness and guidance when I first began at McCalls 30 years ago. He was a wonderful man. I will never forget that wry smile and his hat. The very model of a gentleman undertaker.
– Chris
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Chris and Susan Benesch Dear McCall family,
Our condolences go out to you all in the loss of Mr. McCall.
Chris, Susan and family
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Ken Rennie Dave, so sorry to read of the passing of your uncle. A great guy who will be missed. Ken
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Robin Heppell Dear Barbara, Marshall, James, Ross, David, Barbara & families.
I was very sad to hear of Torrey’s death.
When I think of Torrey, a smile always comes to face – his trademark hat, often a red sweater, slightly crooked grin, and firm handshake.
He was a mentor to me at the funeral home and at the Masonic lodge. When I first started at McCalls in 1986 the first thing that Torrey taught me was how to properly close the doors on the funeral coaches and limousines. “Never slam the doors. Don’t let go of the handle and let door swing close. Firmly close the door and then let go of the handle – that’s how we do things at McCalls.”
I enjoyed our talks about the business and also about the Masonic Fraternity. He sponsored me – together with Jim Flatman – into Confederation Lodge and he was there to support me along the various steps of my Masonic journey.
Torrey McCall was a symbol of integrity!
Thank you Torrey for your guidance, friendship and support.
Sincerely
Rob Heppell
I recently heard the very sad news of Mr McCall’s passing and was stopped in my tracks remembering those days back in Oak Bay. I recall him being there when my grandfather passed,offering me a few kind words in just the right way as I came down for breakfast and returned to my bedroom while he attended to matters.
Mr McCall spent many days with my father Ab on the links of VGC and was a masonic brother to him as well. He was a true gentleman and an example of how to ‘live one’s life’ in service of others. I felt this during my last visit to Canada to farewell my own father at McCall’s as the staff served the Wells family to such a high standard during this difficult time. I could only think, he certainly trained them well !
Our thoughts are with the entire family.
Brad Wells
Perth, Australia