Sadun Tor Obituary
Sadun Tor died suddenly on Monday, July 23, 2012, while traveling in New Jersey.
Duner was born on May 28, 1946, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to Sadun Tor and Edythe Williams Tor. He spent his childhood in Istanbul, Turkey; Wilmington, Delaware; and Baltimore, Maryland. He settled in Charlottesville, married, had children, and in 1983, started Duner's, renowned Ivy restaurant, still going strong under its second owner Bob Caldwell.
Duner loved trying new things; the family moved to Pass Christian, Mississippi, near Duner's beloved New Orleans, and then to Bozeman, Montana, for something completely different. He and his wife came back to Virginia to live in Afton in 2005. Duner loved music of all kinds and enjoyed singing and playing with friends John Vespoli, Nick Whitmer, Calvin Satterfield and his son, William Tor. He was an enthusiastic motorcyclist befriending riders from all over Europe and the American West. He loved new places and travelled extensively throughout North America and Europe. Duner had many friends who will miss his quick wit, wide knowledge, frank expression and curiosity. Duner was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Deniz Tor. Duner is survived by his wife of 33 years Alice; his four children, Maria Henderson and her husband, Paul, Eleanor Tor and her husband, Jason Lehmann, Anne Tor and William Tor; three grandchildren, William and Samuel Lehmann and Alice Henderson; and his sister Lisa Tor. Friends are invited to gather at the Tor home in Afton on Sunday July 29, 2012, at 1:30 p.m.
This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.
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Duner, Charlottesville 2011
Tina Quinn
July 24, 2019
Duner, It would be so wonderful to still have you around. I miss your periodic visits, even your disdain for the politically correct! I'd take that any old day over just memories! But, alas. Hope you've come across Rocky in the other world. He gave up his little tunic of flesh just a couple of years after you. ** You were a good sport to let me take this picture of you in front of the restaurant. Being a good sport was a great quality of yours.
Colston W Hanshaw
July 20, 2019
The world is not as bright without his laughter and his wicked sense of humor.
Servet Harunoglu
January 12, 2014
Though we were so far apart,we were so close. sorry for Duner`s loss,
December 14, 2012
I was friends with Duner (actually a roommate) during the late 60's- early 70's in Towson Md. I lived with him while he was first learning guitar and had a psychedelic Volkswagen Van.He was the wittiest guy back then and from what I read here, he maintained such. To the Tor family, bless you.
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Sharon Wild
August 19, 2012
I am saddened to hear of Duner's passing. I can see the young man fron Dulaney under the white hair and beard. I was at the Beatles concert in 1964 too, and remember seeing Duner's looks of disbelief as he watched the shrieking girls lol. Oobla di, oobla da... Via con Dios, Duner.
Mike Carron
August 8, 2012
We were shocked to find out about Duner's death. Duner and Alice have always been a part of our family since they were such great support for us when our daughter (their daughter Ann's friend) died. We also enjoyed Duner's visits with us in Italy...his stories kept us in stitches. Our love goes out to Alice, the children and grand children.
Colston Hanshaw
August 3, 2012
Never has a person made me laugh more, I will miss Duner and his incredible sense of humor. My thoughts are with Alice and all the family. Please take care.
Gus Gilmore
August 1, 2012
I'm glad I got to ride and play guitars with you, Duner. I'm sorry for your family and your many friends around the world who will miss your sarcasm and acerbic wit...
July 30, 2012
So sorry.Duner was a complete original.
Jimmy Farmer
Tina Quinn
July 30, 2012
Duner,
You and Alice have made a very fine family. You already know that I am so proud of you for that and could hardly have conceived of it all those years ago when you and a friend 'chaperoned' Lisa and me to the Beatles Baltimore concert in 1964. Responsible? Teenagers?
You also turned out to be such a loyal friend after my move to France in the early 80s, always making the effort to spend time with me during your many trips through.
I am deeply grateful for the time that you, Alice, Lisa and I were able to spend together in the beginning of the year here in the south of France.
My love for you and your family goes out stronger than ever.
Paul Hounslow
July 30, 2012
The world is lessened for he was such a large presence in it.
I am proud to have ridden with him and very sad that I no longer will be able to.
As someone who left a huge impression on me and some very fond memories after only spending a few short times together I cannot imagine the loss that those close to him are experiencing, my thoughts are with you.
Julie Dudley
July 29, 2012
About 6 weeks ago a man rang my doorbell and I looked out at a little scooter in my driveway. I opened the door and a stranger held out my son's wallet, which he had found in the middle of an intersection near Bellair. We live next door to Duners, so we talked a while, realizing we knew so many people in common, and that my son was a friend of his nephew. It was the only time I met Duner, but the fact that he would find a wallet and bring it out to a stranger is a very thoughtful gesture. Just wanted his family to know about this small act of kindness. He was clearly quite a guy!!!
Fulton Martin
July 28, 2012
I'm bummed. It's hard to express what Duner meant to me, but I'll surely miss him.
Darryl Richman
July 28, 2012
So sorry to hear about this and so sorry for you, Alice, and the rest of your family. Duner said he was going to see us at the start of the Cannonball in NY in September, and I was really looking forward to that.
Armand Marechal
July 28, 2012
F***!
F***! F***! F***!
We really will miss your frank expression, man!
Armand + Felix, Frankfurt/M., Germany
Ton van Bart
July 28, 2012
I just heard this news over the net, being one of the people that met Duner while he was travelling in Europe. Even though I only met him a handful of times I have fond memories of his wit and personality.
I never had the pleasure of meeting his family but Feel deeply sorry for their loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time.
July 27, 2012
Alice, Hedley and I will see you Sunday. I am sure you are comforted having your children and grand children around you but know that we are thinking about you too. Love Bart and Hedley
Judy Schilling
July 27, 2012
Alice, I am so sadden by the sudden passing of Duner. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Judy schilling
Pat Bottom Delany
July 27, 2012
Dear Alice and family,
You and the world lost a truly delightful guy when Duner left us all. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you. Take great comfort in the good times and all of those that hold you in their hearts.
Pat Bottom Delany
Charlie Pastorfield
July 27, 2012
To the Tor family: We're so sorry to hear this news. What an incredible man! It's a big loss to handle, but you must know there's a city's worth of people out there thinking about all of you right now. Charlie and Emilie Pastorfield
Susan Fogg
July 27, 2012
I am very sorry for your loss.
I agree with everyone who as said if you met him even once you would never forget him.
peace
Rob Sumner
July 27, 2012
As Whitt Hanshaw wrote "if you met even once you would never forget him". I was in his company only a handful of times many many years ago and have never forgotten his easy-going, loving life demeanor and enjoyed his sense of humor immensly. Peace - Rob Sumner
Whitt Hanshaw
July 26, 2012
A fabulous man ! If you were lucky enough to even meet him once you would never forget him . He was great and I'm so happy to have been in his company many times . My memory's of him will always make me happy .
Ginny Dieruf
July 26, 2012
Hi Tor family. Times like this are hard. We are very sorry for your loss. I can so remember all of you guys. Lots of memories in Bozeman, MT. We send our love from Montana. Wish I could give you all a hug.
Anders Groseth
July 26, 2012
Alice, Maria, Ellie, Anne and Will, I want to send along my deepest condolences for your loss. Duner was one of the truly great men that all of us kids had the pleasure of spending time with growing up. Having always been so inviting to all of us into your family, I want you to know that your Montana family is thinking of you, and sending you all the love we possibly can. I hope to see you all again soon. - Anders
July 26, 2012
A week & half ago I was lucky to spend a couple of days with Duner & Alice, so this is a shock needless to say. Duner remained his satirical opinionated self that I traveled from New Orleans to experience once more.I am really going to miss him. Love to you Alice et.al. Bryce & Jan, we are very saddened.
July 26, 2012
Alice, so very sorry, so very sad. Hope you and family are doing okay. Sending lots of love your way. As Susie said, the late night singing will be missed. Susan Hunsiker reminded me, when she and I sang with him at the Chalfonte, he called us Duner and the Chickettes, good memories...xoxo--jaybird
Watson Bryant
July 26, 2012
Alice, Sadun looks and sounds like one heck of a guy and you all must've had one heck of a good life together. US, to Turkey, to US, to Pa. to Va. to Miss. to Montana to Va. Wow, what an incredible ride! I am so very sorry for your loss. I also hope to see you again. It's only been about 45 years. XXX Wat
Mark Wright
July 26, 2012
Alice, what a wonderful obit for a truly great guy... Thinking of you and hope to see you again soon.
Jan Shelley
July 26, 2012
so sorry, Alice, thinking of you
Susan Neligan
July 26, 2012
Will miss your right on target humor and your late night singing, . Our family won't be the same
July 26, 2012
Alice- so sorry for your loss
Betts carpenter reed
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