Anthony Francis Torchia, 88, died peacefully at home on Saturday, September 28, 2024, surrounded by his family.
Tony was born on September 7, 1936, in Pittsburg, Kansas, to Frank and Dorothy Torchia. He grew up in Oswego, Kansas, and graduated from Oswego High School. Tony attended the University of Kansas and graduated from St. Benedict’s College. In 1959, he moved to the Kansas City area, where he lived for the remainder of his life.
Tony married Virginia Ann Perez on December 19, 1959. Despite a friend’s admonition that “you date Tony Torchia but you don’t marry Tony Torchia,” Tony and Ginny lived a full and happy life until his passing. They enjoyed traveling, their condo at the Lake of the Ozarks and spending time with family and friends. Tony was an avid fan of the Chiefs, Royals and KU basketball. He loved the outdoors, particularly fishing and hunting.
Tony worked in sales, and for 30 years of his life he worked as an independent insurance agent, owning his own agency, Torchia Insurance Center. He was honored with the Paul Harris Fellow from The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. He and Ginny also owned and operated Spittin’ Image, the antique photography business at Worlds of Fun until 1995. Because of his outstanding service and ethics, the relationship between him and his clients often turned into lifetime friendships. He will be missed dearly by both family and friends.
In addition to Ginny, he is survived by his children, Dan (Laura), Mark (Jen) and Dana (Brad); eight grandchildren, Dillon (Anya), Phoebe (Pascal), Clay (Nichole), Deven (Zack), Anna, Cara, Liam, Logan; and his sister Kathy. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Bob.
Visitation will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday, October 4, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Parish, Leawood, Kansas, 14251 Nall Ave., with the Funeral Mass following at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, 9501 159th St, Overland Park, Kansas, followed by lunch at St Michael’s.
In iieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the St. Luke’s Foundation, supporting the St. Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute. https://give.saintlukeskc.org/give/488429/#!/donation/checkout