Morley Torgov
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Morley Lorne Torgov CM (December 3, 1927 – July 19, 2026) was a Canadian novelist, humorist and lawyer. He had a 70 year career in law as a partner in the Toronto-firm Olch Torgov and Cohen LLP.
Life and career
[edit]Torgov was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario on December 3, 1927, the only child of Allen and Sarah Jane Torgov.[1]
He wrote for The Sault Daily Star as a columnist and reporter from 1941 to 1946. Torgov has credited his experience writing for the newspaper with helping him learn to write creatively.[2]
He studied law at Osgoode Hall in Toronto, becoming a lawyer in 1954. He practised real estate and corporate law for 70 years as a senior partner in the Toronto-based legal firm Olch Torgov and Cohen.[3]
Torgov wrote and published eight books. His first, A Good Place To Come From, a collection of short stories based on his experiences and Jewish up-bringing in depression-era Sault Ste. Marie was published in 1974. The book was made into a three episode TV series that aired on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in March 1980.[4][5]
His 1982 novel The Outside Chance of Maximilian Glick was adapted into the 1988 film of the same name.[6]
Torgov died on July 19, 2026, at the age of 98.[7]
Family
[edit]Torgov married Anna Pearl Cohen on December 26, 1952 at Prince Arthur House in Toronto.[8]
He was the father of actress and artist Sarah Torgov.[9]
Honours
[edit]Torgov was twice awarded the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour for A Good Place To Come From and The Outside Chance of Maximilian Glick.[10]
In 1990, he received honorary doctor of letters degrees from Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie[11] and Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario.[12]
In 2015, he was named a member of the Order of Canada[13] for his contributions to Canadian literature as a humourist and storyteller.[14]
Awards and recognition
[edit]- 1975: winner, Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour, A Good Place to Come From[15]
- 1978: finalist, Books in Canada First Novel Award, The Abramsky Variations
- 1983: winner, Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour, The Outside Chance of Maximilian Glick[16]
Bibliography
[edit]- 1974: A Good Place to Come From (Lester and Orpen Dennys) ISBN 0-919630-66-9
- 1977: The Abramsky Variations (Lester and Orpen Dennys) ISBN 0-919630-80-4
- 1982: The Outside Chance of Maximilian Glick (Lester and Orpen Dennys) ISBN 0-919630-29-4, paperback ISBN 1-55192-548-6, Seal paperback ISBN 0-7704-2431-7
- 1990: St Farb's Day (Lester and Orpen Dennys) ISBN 0-88619-333-8
- 1998: The War to End All Wars (Malcolm Lester) ISBN 1-894121-06-6
- 2002: Stickler and Me (Raincoast) ISBN 1-55192-546-X
- 2008: Murder in A-major (RendezVous Crime) ISBN 1-894917-65-0
- 2012: The Mastersinger from Minsk (Dundurn) ISBN 978-1-4597-0203-5
References
[edit]- ↑ "DEATHS: Morley Torgov". The Globe and Mail. 24 July 2026.
- ↑ Helwig, David. "Novelist recalls days at Sault Star". SooToday.com. Village Media. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
- ↑ "DEATHS: Morley Torgov". The Globe and Mail. 24 July 2026.
- ↑ IMDb. "A Good Place to Come From - TV Series (1980– )". IMDb. IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
- ↑ "First part of trilogy is set in the Soo". The Ottawa Citizen. 8 March 1980.
- ↑ IMDb. "The Outside Chance of Maximilian Glick". IMDb. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
- ↑ Award-winning Canadian humorist Morley Torgov dies at 98
- ↑ "MARRIAGES: Torgov-Cohen". The Toronto Star. 27 December 1952.
- ↑ (26 February 1979). "People", Maclean's 92 (9): 36.
- ↑ "DEATHS: Morley Torgov". The Globe and Mail. 24 July 2026.
- ↑ Algoma University. "Our Senate - Honorary degrees". Algoma University: Our Senate. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
- ↑ Laurentian University. "Honorary Degrees". Retrieved 7 January 2025.
- ↑ "Four Nova Scotians among Order of Canada honourees". The Chronicle-Herald, 1 July 2015.
- ↑ The Governor General of Canada. "Mr. Morley Torgov, Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Order of Canada, Member of the Order of Canada". Governor General of Canada - Honours. Government of Canada. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
- ↑ Hanlon, Michael (27 May 1975). "Morley Torgov wins Leacock Medal for humour". The Toronto Star.
- ↑ Star staff. (29 April 1983). "Another Leacock award for Torgov". The Sault Star. Southam Inc.
External links
[edit]- Morley Torgov profile, The Canadian Encyclopedia; accessed 10 May 2017.
- "Morley Torgov profile". Olch, Torgov, Cohen. Archived from the original on 26 December 2003. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- Kirshner, Sheldon (6 June 2012). "Novelist has not Quit His Day Job Yet". Canadian Jewish News. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- Morley Torgov at IMDb
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