Morley Torgov

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

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

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

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

Bibliography

  • 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

  1. ↑ "DEATHS: Morley Torgov". The Globe and Mail. 24 July 2026.
  2. ↑ Helwig, David. "Novelist recalls days at Sault Star". SooToday.com. Village Media. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  3. ↑ "DEATHS: Morley Torgov". The Globe and Mail. 24 July 2026.
  4. ↑ IMDb. "A Good Place to Come From - TV Series (1980– )". IMDb. IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  5. ↑ "First part of trilogy is set in the Soo". The Ottawa Citizen. 8 March 1980.
  6. ↑ IMDb. "The Outside Chance of Maximilian Glick". IMDb. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  7. ↑ Award-winning Canadian humorist Morley Torgov dies at 98
  8. ↑ "MARRIAGES: Torgov-Cohen". The Toronto Star. 27 December 1952.
  9. ↑ (26 February 1979). "People", Maclean's 92 (9): 36.
  10. ↑ "DEATHS: Morley Torgov". The Globe and Mail. 24 July 2026.
  11. ↑ Algoma University. "Our Senate - Honorary degrees". Algoma University: Our Senate. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  12. ↑ Laurentian University. "Honorary Degrees". Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  13. ↑ "Four Nova Scotians among Order of Canada honourees". The Chronicle-Herald, 1 July 2015.
  14. ↑ 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.
  15. ↑ Hanlon, Michael (27 May 1975). "Morley Torgov wins Leacock Medal for humour". The Toronto Star.
  16. ↑ Star staff. (29 April 1983). "Another Leacock award for Torgov". The Sault Star. Southam Inc.
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