Our
Story
Mom used to say that my dad had a unique ability to celebrate other people's success.
Over the years, I’ve come to not only understand this but embrace it as a guiding principle. There is immeasurable fulfillment in wishing well for those around you, and investing your energy in others’ well-being. It’s a life lesson that I hold dear, and hope by sharing our family’s journey, you may find some inspiration for your own.
I began working alongside my father Lawrence D’Orsay at the age of 25. He was my father, my best friend, and my business partner for more than 20 years, until his passing in August 2022. Together, our careers grew from traditional listing work to expertise in logistics, advanced manufacturing, site selection, incentive negotiation and workplace strategy. We evolved from conventional in-office operations to embracing hybrid work models, representing some of Canada’s largest companies in some of the most complex transactions of our era. Commuting to our office in Toronto, I was reminded that sometimes what’s old becomes new again; and these experiences remain deeply influential to me today.
My father started his brokerage career at just 19, when Etobicoke was the outskirts of Toronto, forging close friendships and professional bonds with many industry pioneers. He became actively involved in the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (formerly SIR), helping to grow the industry with his unwavering commitment to ethics, professionalism, and integrity. He founded his first brokerage in 1981, mentored many, and worked collaboratively with both clients and competitors to advance our profession. My Uncle Alan D’Orsay was a builder, beginning his work in commercial construction in the 1970s. For me, at an early age I spent my time divided between wheelbarrowing bricks and installing real estate signs.
The D’Orsay family first migrated from Kilkenny, Ireland to Canada during the Potato Famine of the 1850s. My great-great-great-grandfather Patrick, a fisherman, brought our family to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, in search of a better life. Our family’s first foray into entrepreneurship was led by my great-great-grandfather John Dorsey, founder of Dorsey, Goff & Co. in the 1870s, the original company namesake. Together with his brother James, they operated one of PEI’s largest boot and shoe manufacturers. John married Emma Lucretia LePage, Charlottetown royalty and aunt and uncle to A.E. LePage co-founder of the Toronto Real Estate Board. I believe this connection helped solidify our family’s ongoing journey in real estate, undoubtedly making for interesting dinner table conversations in the early 1900's.
My great-grandfather, John Ezra James D’Orsay, was an artist and painter and relocated our family to Toronto. His paintings hang in my home today. Ezra changed the spelling of our name to its present form, capital D, apostrophe, capital O, though the reason remains unclear. Was it for his love of art? I believe it was a tribute to his French ancestry and his love of his mum.
We first began working in the Toronto real estate market in the 1940's when my grandfather, Seldon Edward D'Orsay, worked as a residential realtor in the Kingsway area. Despite losing his hearing at a young age, he was always known for his warm smile and storytelling. This career, along with his outlook, left a lasting impression on all of us and to never look back.
As we continue to move our industry forward, embracing technology and complex service offerings for our corporate clients, our core values remain unchanged: hard work, collaboration, mentorship, and professionalism are the foundation of what we do every day and the driving force behind D’Orsay & Company. Our namesake is a tribute to our Irish roots of the 1800s and history of our family in Canada. It’s a remembrance of my father, whose passing we mark in our logo, Est. 2023. To our friends, colleagues, clients, and competitors; thank you for being part of our family’s history. D’Orsay & Company is also a tribute to you and a celebration of 175 years of Canadian heritage and friendship.
Sincerely,
Matt D’Orsay