Honorable Peter A. Torigian
PEABODY--Honorable Peter A. Torigian, 68, former Mayor and husband of Jacqueline (LeBlanc) Torigian died Saturday morning at home surrounded by his family following a brief illness.
Born in Peabody, he was the son of the late Andon and Sarah (Andonian) Torigian. An outstanding athlete, he graduated from Peabody High School in 1953. He then worked in the City’ s leather factories for several years before proudly serving his country in the United States Marine Corps. From 1962-1979, Mr. Torigian worked as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, during which time he also began his political career. He served as Ward 1 Councilor from 1968-1971, Councilor-at-Large from 1972-1973 and 1978-1979. The longest serving Mayor in the City’ s history, he was first elected in 1979 and served for 23 years until his retirement in 2002. Admired and respected by his colleagues throughout the state, he was voted Best Mayor in Massachusetts .
Mayor Torigian’ s leadership in local, county and statewide organizations is well established. He was active in the Massachusetts Municipal Association, serving on its board of directors and local Governor’ s Advisory Committee. He served as President of both the Massachusetts Mayor’ s Association and the Massachusetts Municipal Association. He was Chairman of the Essex County Advisory Board and was an elected member of the Metropolitan Planning Organization. Mayor Torigian received numerous awards from groups throughout the region that recognized his exceptional commitment to public service. Those awards include the B’ nai B’ rith Man of the Year Award in 1983, The North Shore Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year Award in 1991, and a distinguished medal and the title Commander of the Order of Infant Henry the Navigator from the President of Portugal in 1996. The North Shore Suburban Jewish Community Center and the Anti-Defamation League also recognized the Mayor in 1997.
Although Mayor Torigian was well known for his managerial and fiscal accomplishments, building a sense of community and pride within his beloved City will be his legacy. To Mayor Torigian, Pride in Peabody was defined not only by the physical beautification of the City, but also by providing increased opportunities for all its citizens. A few of his greatest accomplishments include the building of the Community Life Center, now named in his honor, the Leather City Common, and the Meadow Golf Course. He also created the Peabody International Festival, the Pride in Peabody campaign and numerous cultural and social programs In a January 10, 2001article in the Salem News, Mayor Peter Torigian commented: If I was going to be remembered for one thing, it has to do with individuals feeling what their community is all about.
After his retirement, he served on the Board of Directors of the North Shore Bank and Chair of the Development Committee working to build a new YMCA in Peabody.
A devoted family man, Peter enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. In addition to his wife Jackie, with whom he shared 45 years of marriage, he is survived by his five daughters and their husbands, Jeanne and Christopher Burbridge of Peabody, Nancy and Stephen Buczko of Salem, Laurie and Richard Nelson of Peabody, Sara and John Runnals of Danvers, and Linda and Brian Kass of Peabody; his 10 grandchildren, Mary and Erin Burbridge, Audrey Buczko, Peter and Samantha Nelson, Jake, Lydia and Alec Runnals and Lauren and Andrew Kass; a sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Lawrence Foley of Peabody.
He was the brother of the late Charles Torigian and grandfather of the late Stephanie Nelson and Lily Runnals
His funeral will be held on Friday at 11 AM in St. John the Baptist Church, 16 Church St., Peabody to which relatives and friends are kindly invited.
The visitation will be held at Peabody City Hall, 24 Lowell St., Peabody on Wednesday from 4 to 7 PM and Thursday from 2 -4 and 7 - 9 P.M. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Memorial donations may be made to Peabody-Lynnfield YMCA, Development Fund, PO Box 4422, Peabody, MA 01960, or to NSMC Cancer Center 17 Centennial Dr, Peabody, Ma 01960, or to Hospice of the North Shore, 10 Elm ST, Danvers, MA 01923.
