WITTRUP, Torben - (1930 - 2021) - It is with great sadness that our family announces that Torben passed away on January 26, 2021, from medical complications that resulted from a fall.
He was the only child of Danish immigrants, Christian ("Chris") and Laura Wittrup. He was raised in Timmins, Ontario, where he met the love of his life, Jenny (aka "Jay"). Torben and Jenny were married for almost 67 years.
After graduating from Timmins High and Vocational School, he started working at the local radio station, CKGB, as an office boy and was eventually asked "if he wanted to go on air." During his 6 years at CKGB, he worked his way up to become the Chief Announcer/ Assistant Program Director.
His broadcast experience at CKGB provided him with the foundation for his career in radio. In 1954, he was transferred to radio station CKWS in Kingston and later became the Chief Newscaster at the newly created CKWS – TV. He then moved to Toronto where he worked briefly at CKEY and CHFI before landing a job at CFRB.
During his 32-year career at CFRB, he became a household name to radio audiences in the GTA, southern Ontario and the United States, with his signature introduction, "Torben Wittrup with the news." He loved working at CFRB, and he particularly loved the people he worked with. He retired from the airwaves at CFRB in 1991.
More recently, his new home became Amica Bayview Gardens. He loved the residents, the staff, attending happy hour, watching the Leafs and Raptors on TV, and participating in the Glee Club. He missed them all during the past several months of COVID 19 quarantines and lockdowns. We want to thank the staff and residents at Amica for creating a wonderful and safe home for him.
Torben was the adoring husband of Jenny Anne (nee Buchmann), and he was the proud and loving grandfather of Scott (Sarah), Tomas, Brian, Lucy, and Laura (Alex) von Buttlar. He is survived by his sons, Mark (Susan) of Calgary and Evan (Sue) of Toronto. He was predeceased by his daughter, Karen.
Torben will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his gentle manner, his wonderful sense of humour, his never-ending kindness and positive outlook on life.
We will celebrate Torben's life as a family.
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