Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Albert “Al” Torney of Annapolis, Maryland died unexpectedly at home on March 20, 2023. Al was born in Baltimore, Maryland on April 18, 1942 to Jack and Ellen (nee Hartung) Torney and had one sister Jaquelyn. Their mother married Army Master Sergeant John Chevalier when Al and Jackie were young. When Al was 9 years old he won the Baltimore Sun’s “Why My Pops Is Tops” essay contest where he wrote about his dad defending freedom in Korea. Al’s fondest memories of his childhood was the time his family lived in Italy, Austria, and Germany. After graduating from Glen Burnie High School in 1960 he studied to be a history teacher at University of Maryland, College Park. Al worked as an accountant at CSX Transportation in Baltimore for 40 years. He met Nancy Sisson, of Pasadena, Maryland and they were married November 23, 1963, In 1973 the Torneys moved to a house they built in Cape St John and it was there that Al died peacefully. 

Al enjoyed spending time on the rivers and bays boating, crabbing and fishing . Al’s love of fishing inspired him to create the Chesapeake  Sportfishing Show in 1978 with his friend Charlie Frick. This annual show took place in Annapolis for 22 years. It expanded in 1980 to the Delaware Sportfishing Show and another in Baltimore. “Poppy” as he was affectionately called by his grandchildren imparted his love for all things Chesapeake on them and inspired his grandson Jack to become a commercial waterman. After retirement Al’s interest in stock car racing led him to create the Maryland Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame. This virtual museum united people all over the East Coast and beyond who shared his interest and passion which led to an annual gathering for over 15 years for the Maryland Racing community. 

Al is survived by his wife Nancy and their three children Jeff Torney (Susan), Lauren Michele Skinner (Richard) and Leah Torney Bell and his six grandchildren; Dylan and Jack Torney, Fiona, Siobhan, and Guy Skinner, and Duncan Beall. Al is also survived by his nephew Robert Konrad (Lisa) and nieces Kim Herring (Tim) and Robin Stern (Daniel) and their children. Al is predeceased by his parents, his sister and brother in law, and his granddaughter Isla Stuart Bell. 

Visitation will be from 5-8 pm April 4, 2023 at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD, where a service to celebrate Al’s life will be held at 11:00 am on April 5 with a reception following. All are welcomed to pay respects. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake Foundation, John and Cathy Belcher Campus, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, Maryland 21122. foundation@hospicechesapeake.org Or Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 710 Ridgely Ave., Annapolis, MD 21401

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Albert A. Torney

Albert A. Torney

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