Arthur Robert Torrie

Arthur Robert Torrie, passed away unexpectedly on the morning of October 13, 2026, in his 89th year.  Arthur was the beloved husband of Marlyen Torrie (nee Knisley).  Loving father to Valerie and husband Gary Clark of Severn Bridge, Cynthia and husband Joe Romano of Markham, Robin and husband Grant Adams of Saskatoon, Darren Torrie (predeceased) and wife Joyce of Stony Rapids.  Devoted grandfather to: Allison Torrie Clark (Aroop Patel), Jessica Torrie Clark, Malachi Torrie Clark, Rebekah Torrie Clark, Christopher Romano (Savannah), Jordan Romano (Samantha), Julia Romano (David Bertuzzi), Cassandra Romano, Philip Adams, Olivia Adams (Nick Busch), Kennedy Adams, Kimberly Torrie.  Great-grandfather to Rocky Romano and Vienna Romano.  He was the son of John and Dorothy Torrie (predeceased), brother to Harold (predeceased)/Mabel, Phyllis McKenzie/Harold(predeceased), Leone Marshall/Tom, Glen (predeceased)/Gwen, Brian/Elizabeth (predeceased).  Arthur will be missed by his many cousins, nieces and nephews and good friends.  Arthur was born to John and Dorothy Torrie in 1938 in Durham, Ontario. They moved to the family farm in Normandy Township when he was ten. Arthur and his family attended the Durham Baptist Church, and he attended Durham District High.

Arthur loved farming and thought it might be his life’s work but at seventeen he went to work in the Biltmore Factory in Guelph and then travelled to Sault Saint Marie to work with Kennedy Construction and construction became his life’s work. One of his first jobs was in Elliott Lake where in rode into the job site a top a load of lumber. Arthur soon became a superintendent and was involved with many projects. In 1959 he was superintendent on Orillia District Collegiate and the Bracebridge High School.  That same year he married the love of his life Marlyen Knisley and they moved to Orillia, Ontario, where they raised their dear children, Valerie, Cynthia, Robin and Darren.  

In the early sixties Arthur became the superintendent of Andre Knight Construction, where he completed many projects, including the Trillium Nursing Home in Orillia.

In the early seventies he began working with Disher Ferrand and added road construction to his skills repertoire. In 1972, the family moved to Barrie and he became a co-owner of Barrie Paving.

In 1981, the family moved to Saskatchewan when Arthur began work on a school in Beauval, Saskatchewan. In 1983, he worked as a superintendent for Stuart Olsen Construction then in 1994 he and a business partner began Torson Contracting, which Arthur ran until 2009. Torson Contracting completed many projects in Northern Saskatchewan, the Stony Rapids Airport, the final section of highway 905, and numerous schools, nursing stations and water and sewage treatment plants. Arthur’s final building project was a large shop in Stony Rapids, named Darren’s Shop in remembrance of his son Darren who passed away in 2017. Arthur was a strong, wise man who could solve almost any problem he had many gifts and talents, he enjoyed his work immensely and his work ethic was second to none.

Arthur was devoted to his family and loved them unconditionally, his final weekend was spent with all his family, celebrating his dear wife’s birthday on a Thanksgiving Family Getaway. It was a wonderful time, and he took the opportunity to express his great love and pride for his wife and each member of the family. We are going to miss his earthly presence beyond words but we know that we will see him again in heaven and that our love travelled with him and his love remains with us; because love is eternal and never passes away.

In lieu of flowers please send a donation to Knox Normanby Presbyterian Church.

Visitation: Mundell Funeral Home, Orillia, Ontario, on Sunday, October 18, 2026, from 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Service:  Prince Albert Bridge Ministry, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, TBA