Michael Joseph Torsney, former member
Wednesday, April 23, 1930 - Thursday, November 30, 2023
Born in Dublin, Ireland on 23 April 1930, Michael died on 30 November 2023, surrounded by the love of his family. He is reunited with his beloved wife of nearly 68 years, Marie Torsney (née O’Gorman), who died on 24 July. Michael was the loving father of Michelle Torsney (Steve Barrett), Brian (d. 2017) (Sheila Forani), Patricia “Paddy”, and Sean (Susie); proud grandfather of Amy (Aaron), Kathleen (Matt) and Erin Torsney, Meaghan (David) and Catherine Barrett; great-grandfather of Malcolm, Rhys, Madelyn, Alaric and Tessa.
A graduate of Blackrock College, Dublin, Michael earned his Architecture degree in 1955 at what is now Trinity College Dublin. Newly married to his sweetheart of five years, they moved to London, England, where he completed his internship and became a member of the Royal Society of Architects of Ireland. In 1957, Marie, Michael and Michelle came to Hamilton under a government travel loan program.
Gaining Canadian professional work experience was initially a challenge, as it is for many immigrants. William R. Souter hired Michael, enabling him to earn his Canadian professional designation in 1959 and become a member of the Ontario Association of Architects, as well as the Royal Institute of Architects of Canada. Michael opened his own architectural firm in 1962. Designing pools and sports complexes brought Michael great joy, as did diverse projects such as the Dundas Public Library, the first St. Joseph’s Villa, the Unified Family Court, Ronald McDonald House, the East End Hamilton Police Station, numerous places of worship and schools in Halton and Hamilton, buildings at Mohawk College, and many renovations to our family homes. Over the years, his firm employed numerous people, including talented newcomers to Canada; however, his core team remained with him for more than 30 years, including through economic downturns. Michael served on the board of the Ontario Association of Architects and in 1992 was inducted as a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Architects of Canada.