Charles J. Tornetta (Charlie), the loving husband of Dorothy (Smyth) Tornetta of Lansdale, PA, formerly of West Norriton and Blue Bell, passed away on January 3rd, 2024, just shy of his 93rd birthday following a courageous battle with cancer with his family by his side.
Charlie’s life was centered around four pillars: his family, his faith, his profession, and his community. Charlie partnered with his three brothers, Lawrence, Joseph, and Augustus, in Tornetta Realty Corp., one of the most well-respected commercial and industrial real estate firms in Montgomery County. Real estate was his profession andpassion, as he was actively involved in every aspect of the profession, volunteering on countless boards and committees. He was appointed Board Member of the Montgomery County Planning Commission in 1966 and Chairman of the Commission for 24 years from 1968 to 1992; he continually served on the Planning Commission for over 50 years until his resignation in 2022 because of health. He was honored in 2022 by the County Board of Commissioners as the longest-serving volunteer member of any board in county history. He was a director and past chairman of the Central Montgomery Board of Realtors®now the Tri-County Board of Realtors®. Noting that the Board did not have a commercial chapter, he organized and founded Tri-State REALTORS® Commercial Alliance, the first commercial real estate association in the Tri-State area. He was Past President of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors® (SIOR Designation). His other affiliations included membership in the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), Building Owners Management Association (BOMA), Appraisal Institute (SRA and ASA designations), and Urban Land Institute (ULI).
Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Charlie’s life at Holy Savior Church, 407 E. Main Street, Norristown, Pa 19401 on Monday January 8, 2024 from 9:30-11:00 am for viewing, Mass to follow at 11 am—internment at Saint Patrick’s Mausoleum, 2400 DeKalb Pike, East Norriton, 19403.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Norristown Hospitality Center, 530 Church Street, #1, Norristown, PA 19401, or Holy Saviour Church, 407 E. Main Street, Norristown, PA 19401.