‘His writing captured an important chapter of our city’s history, particularly the experiences of Sault Ste. Marie’s Jewish community, preserving them for future generations,’ said Mayor Matthew Shoemaker

One of the city’s most celebrated and accomplished authors, Morley Torgov, has died.

Born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Torgov’s illustrious writing career saw him pen eight novels between 1974 and 2012, including A Good Place to Come From – a humorous story on growing up in the Sault during the 1930s and 1940s.

In a social media post following Torgov’s death, Mayor Matthew Shoemaker said Torgov’s connection to his hometown shone through in the stories he told over the years.

“Morley never forgot where he came from. Throughout his career, he drew on his experiences growing up in the Sault to tell stories that resonated with readers across Canada and beyond,” Shoemaker said.

“His writing captured an important chapter of our city’s history, particularly the experiences of Sault Ste. Marie’s Jewish community, preserving them for future generations.”

Torgov was honoured with numerous prestigious awards over his career, among them two Stephen Leacock Medals for Humour and an appointment to the Order of Canada in 2015.

Most recently, Shoemaker presented him with The City of Sault Ste. Marie’s Medal of Merit, just months before he passed away at the age of 98.

“It was a privilege to present Morley with the The City of Sault Ste. Marie’s Medal of Merit earlier this year,” Shoemaker said.

“I am grateful we had the opportunity to recognize his contributions while he was still with us.”

After nearly a century on earth, Torgov’s award-winning humour was still intact when he received the city’s highest honour.

“I assume that I’m getting my award because of the simple miracle of longevity,” he told SooToday in a phone interview from his Toronto home this January.

“I’ve lived long enough to get it.”

Torgov cut his teeth as a writer working at The Sault Star as a teenager in the early 1940s – decades before his first novel.

“I didn’t get rich, but I loved it,” he said. “Some of the happiest days of my life were those.”

Throughout the years, Torgov said he always found joy in making people laugh.

“It’s pretty wonderful, isn’t it, if you can make a person laugh,” he said.