Obituary of John R Torney

Monsignor John R. Torney Pastor Emeritus of the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Bernardsville died on May 13, 2013 at his residence at McAuley Hall Watchung. Father Torney was ordained May 3, 1939 in St. Mary’s Cathedral in Trenton. He was assigned to St. Agnes Church in Atlantic Highlands, then to St. Rose of Lima in Freehold. He was appointed Associate Pastor of the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Bernardsville in 1947 and named Pastor in 1952 , serving in that position until his retirement in 1986 at the age of 75. During his pastorate, Father Torney was honored three times by the Church. In 1982 he became the first Vicar General of the newly formed Diocese of Metuchen. At about the same time, Pope John Paul II conferred on him the title Protonotary Apostolic, one of eleven priests so honored at the time in the State of New Jersey. In September 1987, he was selected by the Priests of the Diocese of Metuchen to represent them during the Pope’s visit to Miami. By nature a humble man, Msgr. Torney prefered to be addressed “Father” rather than “ Monsignor”. In 1987, Bishop Edward T. Hughes appointed Msgr. Torney Dean of Retired Clergy and Spiritual Director for Catholic Senior Citizens in the Diocese. In his retirement he has served as a member of the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal, assisted at St. Luke Church, North Plainfield and ministered to the spiritual needs of the Missionary Sisters of Charity Msgr. Torney is survived by three cousins, James Torney and Eileen Torney Ceva of Parsippany and Barbara Torney Demarest of Parsippany. The body will be received at the Church Thursday at 12:00 Noon followed by visitation until 7:15 P.M.. Mass of Commemoration at 7:30 P.M. celebrated by the Rev. Msgr. William Benwell Vicor General of the Diocese of Metuchen. Visitation will be held on May 17, 2013 from 8:45 am to 10:45 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am with the Most Rev. Paul G. Bootkoski, Bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen as the Principal Celebrant. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Basking Ridge. In lieu of flowers please send contributions only to the church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 111 Claremont Road, Bernardville, NJ 07924. Arrangements by Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home. For more information please contact the Funeral Home at 908-766-0250 or to light an online condolence candle visit our website www.gcfuneralhome.com.