William Billy J. Torpey

William J. (“Bill”) Torpey of Somerset passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on March 6, 2016. As a successful maritime professional, dedicated community leader, committed friend, and devoted family man, Bill lived his 88 years of life with drive, commitment, and a tremendous sense of humor.

The son of the late James H. and Mary (Powell) Torpey, Bill was born in New Bedford and resided in Fall River for much of his early life before moving to Somerset in 1957. Bill was the loving husband of 57 years of the late Agnes (Riley) Torpey and was the father of Kathy Torpey Garganta (husband Kevin) of Assonet, Jeanne Fleisch (husband Bill) of Somerset, Christine Torpey (wife Denise Belanger) of Carver, and Scott Torpey (wife Brenda Boyle Torpey) of Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas. He was the loving grandfather of three grandchildren (Amy Garganta Esposito, Mark Garganta, and Jack Torpey) and four great-grandchildren (Noah and Brooke Esposito and Jake and Owen Garganta). Bill was also the brother of the late John (“Jack”), Raymond, and Nelson Torpey.

After early work in newspaper reporting and radio news broadcasting, Bill had a long and distinguished career in the maritime industry that lasted for more than half a century. He was the General Manager of the Fall River Line Pier for 37 years, retiring in 1992. Bill was also the Deputy Commissioner of Pilots for the Port of Fall River from 1975 to 2011, having been first appointed by Massachusetts Governor Michael J. Dukakis. In his 55-year career, Bill achieved many maritime-related honors including being named the Maritime Man of the Year in 1986 by the Propeller Club of the US/Narragansett Bay, and he was inducted as an honorary member of the North Atlantic Ports Association in 2005 and the Boston Marine Society in 2011. He was a tireless and well-respected advocate for Fall River’s waterfront.

Bill’s volunteer and community affiliations spanned several decades and included leadership positions with Charlton Memorial Hospital, Greater Fall River Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Somerset Lions Club, Bristol County Development Council, the USS Massachusetts Memorial Committee, the United Way of Greater Fall River, and a host of other civic organizations. In the early 1960s, Bill was a prime mover in getting the “Big Mamie” to come to Fall River in 1965 to what is now Battleship Cove, and he was honored as the Fall River Chamber of Commerce’s Roger Valcourt Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 1983.

Bill was a 1945 graduate of Durfee High School. He attended Northeastern University and graduated from the National Academy of Broadcasting in Washington, DC. Bill was a veteran of the U.S. Army and he was communicant of St. Patrick’s Church in Somerset.

His funeral will be Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at 9:00 AM from Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Birchcrest, 189 Gardner’s Neck Rd., Swansea followed by a funeral mass at 10:00 AM in St. Patrick’s Church, 306 South St., Somerset. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours, Tuesday from 4:00 – 8:00PM. Burial in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Somerset. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the USS Massachusetts Memorial Committee or Southcoast Hospitals Group/Charlton Memorial Hospital. For tributes and directions: www.waring-sullivan.com.