The University of St. Michael’s College offers its condolences to the Sorbara family on the loss of Joseph Sorbara (SMC 6T3), a man celebrated for his business acumen, philanthropy, community leadership, love of family and his tremendous support of St. Michael’s.
“Joseph Sorbara was an extraordinary friend to St. Michael’s,” says President David Sylvester. “His leadership strengthened our institution, and his memory will endure through the generosity and commitment he inspired.”
A prominent figure in the Canadian business community, Mr. Sorbara was owner and Principal of Sorbara Group, a family-run business founded by his father, Sam, more than 80 years ago. Specializing in real estate, development, and property management, the Sorbara Group continues to shape communities across southern Ontario.
That impact is deeply felt at St. Michael’s, where the family’s generosity is commemorated in both the Sam Sorbara Auditorium in Brennan Hall and Sorbara Hall, the elegant student residence dedicated to the memory of Sam and Grace Sorbara, which opened in 2001.
The family has maintained a deep connection to St. Michael’s, recognizing the university as a vital centre for the Catholic intellectual tradition. Joseph’s father studied at St. Michael’s, as did Joseph’s siblings and other family members across generations.
Beyond his business success, Mr. Sorbara was a dedicated community leader, serving on numerous boards and foundations. He was a director of the St. Michael’s College Foundation, a member of York University’s Board of Governors, and chaired the Mediaeval Studies Foundation at the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies. A founding member of Villa Columbo Home for the Aged, he also served as Chair of the Advisory Board of OMNI Television and as a director for various private corporations.
He was honoured with a vast array of awards, including the Knight of Grace of the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem – Knights of Malta (2000), Cavaliere dell’Accademia di Calabria (2001) and Commendatore dell’Ordine della Stella della solidarieta italiana (2009).
In 2001, he received the Arbor Award from the University of Toronto, recognizing his outstanding volunteer service.
Mr. Sorbara’s generosity toward St. Michael’s went far beyond financial contributions—he was an advocate, a leader, and an inspiration to others. He founded the St. Michael’s Chancellor’s Club to recognize the loyalty and generosity of alumni and donors, and the University of St. Michael’s College Millenium Golf Classic which has since raised more than $3 million to support St. Michael’s. His ability to inspire philanthropy was evident in his leadership of The Campaign which set an ambitious $7 million goal—but raised an astonishing $42 million.
Mr. Sorbara’s time at St. Michael’s had a lasting influence. Studying English literature, he once dreamed of becoming a poet. During a 2010 convocation address at York University, he reflected on a conversation with his father:
“You can imagine that back in the early 1960s, this was not a career choice that impressed my late father. His primary concern was that as a poet I could not support a family. … A concern that was certainly understandable coming from a man who arrived in Canada from Italy as a boy with no money, a less than basic elementary education, a largely absentee father and a mother who died when he was a teenager, leaving him to look after his brother and two sisters.”
He also spoke about his commitment to giving back: “I guess I’ve been given a lot. I can’t eat any more than what I eat. I can’t drink any more than I drink, and I’ve never been impressed with having a lot of money in the bank. I took from York. I took from St. Michael’s. I took from everybody. Why shouldn’t I give somebody else the same opportunities I had?”
Dr. Richard Alway, who knew Mr. Sorbara from their days at St. Michael’s and worked closely with him as university president, recalled his deep ties to the institution. “St. Michael’s was a place of very positive memories for Joe. He had strong associations here, both from his own time as a student and because his father had also studied at St. Mike’s,” says Dr. Alway. “He was always ready to leverage his business connections to support university fundraising.”
After earning his BA at St. Michael’s, Mr. Sorbara went on to earn an MA in English from the University of Toronto in 1966 and an LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1968. In recognition of his contributions to St. Michael’s and beyond, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Sacred Letters, honoris causa, by St. Michael’s in 2006.
The University of St. Michael’s College extends its deepest condolences to Mr. Sorbara’s wife, Antoinette, his children Paul, Julia, and Thomas, his siblings Edward, Gregory, and Marcella Tanzola, and the extended Sorbara family. He was predeceased by his son, Samuel (1972). Joseph’s leadership, generosity, and devotion to St. Michael’s will be remembered for generations to come.