DARRYL ANTHONY TORCHIA

Condolences & Memories (10 entries)

• Hey there dear friend Darryl) now I apologize as my memory does not serve me exactly and correctly, but here goes. Sometime in the mid 70s, I connected with you after singing in various bands around the city. What I must remember, is your generosity, smile and absolute kindness, Darryl. There were a number of us musicians and singers hanging around Transcona. And I guess we needed to express ourselves musically. I can’t remember if we did an actual gig, but I do remember going to your house with a few different people, and we sang that song by the Band…* We’ve got Time to kill. Your guitar playing and enthusiasm was second to none. It’s now 2023 and I am just seeing this for the first time around Christmas. You are one of a kind, my friend! And I’m glad to have known you for that brief period.) Cheers in Heaven. :)). Charlie - Posted by: Charlie Gregoire (Friend) on: Dec 15, 2023

• Deepest sympathies to the family was sad to hear Mr. Torchia passed, he was my guitar teacher for a short time. Very kind man. I remember singing in school the first year I moved here his song "Happy Birthday Winnipeg" in 74' while at assembly between Central South and Central North School. I remember talking to him about our shared heritage my grandmother was an Acadian from Louisdale Nova Scotia and her husband's father was from Soveria Mannelli, Catanzaro. Calabria, Italy. when we lived on Allenby I often ran into Mr. Torchia while picking my girls up from school and he always took the time to stop and say, "hello" if even just for a second. - Posted by: Jeanette Lodge nee Bradford (past music student) on: Jul 24, 2018

• I met Darryl when I was a student and he was the librarian at Springfield Collegiate Institute. This was a man of great wisdom, wit, humour and musical prowess. I am proud to call Darryl a friend (he hated it when I called him Mr.Torchia at school). I will miss the talks with him and I will miss him dearly. I convey my condolences to family and friends. Rest in Peace Darryl. Gonna miss ya man. - Posted by: Cor Navarro (Friend) on: May 12, 2018

• I will miss you my dear friend. I know you are jamming with the angels above. - Posted by: Cindi Cain (friend) on: Apr 17, 2018

• I sang in a folk group with Darryl in the 60's. Darryl named the group The 23 String Analysis. We had 3 in our group and were told we were like Peter Paul and Mary. Darryl was an awesome musician and was a very kind and gentle soul. He used to love Bob Dylan. He named the group after the number of strings played in our group. We had a 12 string guitar, a 6 string and a 5 string banjo. Darryl could play all of them. We played in coffee houses, on the River Rouge and even TV. I am so sad for his passing. I shall never forget how special the time I spent with Darryl was in my life. Rest in peace my friend. - Posted by: Eileen Kopeschny (nee Ross) (Friend) on: Mar 27, 2018

• Darryl, dear friend... Your music -- your playing and your writing -- brought us closer to God. Your outstretched arms soothed us in times of pain. Your giant intellect challenged us on issues from liturgy to social justice. Your quirky humour and persistent puns kept us laughing (and yes, sometimes groaning). Your every-present smile warmed our hearts and brought us joy. We will miss you, dear friend. May God now take care of you as well as you have taken care of us! - Posted by: Craig Leonhardt (Friend) on: Mar 05, 2018

• First met Darryl at Central School, grade 7 I believe. Darryl immediately became a musical influence in my life. He brought his guitar to school and played "Good Night Ladies". I remember it like it was yesterday. I'd heard adults play, but this was the first time I heard a kid play. Darryl continued to be a musical influence through the years, (over 50). Darryl was on an intellectual level with music. Each time you met him, you got some music knowledge, and of course, one of those corny jokes ("only Hugh can prevent forest Fryers"). After not seeing Darryl for a long while, we met around 2007. I hadn't played a gig in years. The next weekend, I was playing a gig with Darryl. I have continued playing out & enjoy it. Thank you Darryl! - Posted by: Larry Martineau (Friend) on: Mar 05, 2018

• Wishing the family peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your heart. I remember dinner and celebrations and when Daryl was first teaching himself the guitar. Seems as I get older my memories become clearer. With Love Greg & Susan Maruca - Posted by: Greg Maruca (Cousin) on: Mar 05, 2018

• Condolences to the family in this time of sadness. - Posted by: Dawn (Longden) Jackson (Went to school with his sister) on: Mar 03, 2018

• A man who was one of my best friends in life and in worship. Darryl will be remembered as the teacher and the philosopher who guided many youngsters over the years, and by my family as the musicologist who wrote much of our early folk mass liturgies at Blessed Sacrament - along with a song tribute as a good-by present when we left Transcona 40 years ago. Framed, it still sits on our wall. Good bye, old buddy. - Posted by: Bill Atherton, Sr. (Friend and fellow musician) on: Mar 03, 2018