Obituary of Carl Torio

Carl Milton Torio passed away peacefully in his home in Glenmore Lodge, Kelowna on February 24, 2019. Carl was born June 10, 1928 to Italian immigrants, Domenic and Lucille Torio, in Pouce Coupe, BC. He had two older sisters, Amelia and Helen, 18 and 15 years older than him, respectively. Being so much younger than his sisters, Carl was especially close to his nieces and nephews, the Breaults and Millers, and he always spoke fondly of his brothers-in-law, Eddie and Sam, and what an impact they had on his life. Carl met the love of his life, Joyce (Adams), at a dance at the South Dawson Hall. They were married on April 18, 1947. Their first child, Milton, was born in 1949 and was followed by Richard, Loreen and Leanne. Carl was a kind, gentle man with a ready smile and tender heart. Although he did have a touch of that Italian temper and could be known to get riled up once in awhile, adding colour to the occasion! Carl had a deep love of farming and ranching and spent 80 years living and farming the land in South Dawson. The land and the soil were in his blood, and Carl had deep roots in that place. He treated his farm and animals with respect. Carl was a bit of an animal guru - he could train a moose, had pet squirrels, loved his cows and dogs and was natural and competent working with any animal. He was gifted in animal husbandry and was a great cattleman producing some of the best finished beef in the Peace River country. Many of us still drool thinking of those steaks barbecued over an open fire. Carl had the Italian love of food, and was a good cook, loved gardening and preserving food. We will all remember and love his homemade Italian sausage, a tradition that many of his family carry on. He took great care of and pride in his greenhouse, and lovingly tended to his tomatoes while Joyce hummed a tune in her rocking chair. Carl and Joyce were a wonderful team and worked together like a well-oiled machine. In Joyce's later years, Carl was a kind and compassionate caregiver. In 1994 Carl and Joyce took a trip of a lifetime to visit his parents' homeland and relatives in northern Italy. Seeing where his parents came from was an amazing and moving experience for Carl. Although he did not speak Italian, he was pleased to discover on that trip that he could understand quite a bit of what his relatives were saying. A sensitive and emotional man, Carl was always open with his feelings and loved his family immensely. Although quiet and shy, Carl nonetheless had a great sense of humour, and liked to tell a funny story that got everyone laughing. Carl adopted an adventurous spirit in the last ten years of his life, making the bold move to leave his beloved farm and move to Agassiz in 2008, followed by another move in 2014 to the Okanagan where he could spend his final years near his daughters. Carl was predeceased by his wife Joyce (2006), his son Richard (2009), as well as his parents and siblings. He is survived and will be missed by his three children, Milton (Kathi) Torio, Loreen (Danny) Way, Leanne Torio; grandchildren Aaron (Jen) Torio, Marcus (Sarah) Torio, Keenan Way, Bailey McIvor and Brodie McIvor; and six great grandchildren, also two step grandchildren Trevor (Ella) Cook, Tanis Cook; and two step great grandchildren. We will all miss Carl's twinkling blue eyes and beautiful smile. His decency and generous and giving soul will stay with us forever. A family Celebration of Life will be held on June 29 in Abbotsford, and the family will bring Carl's ashes home to Dawson Creek to be buried with Joyce and Richard in July. A private service will be held for family and friends.