Ivan Stefan Saleff, M. Arch, OAA, MRAIC

Following a brief illness, Ivan passed away in Cobourg on July 22, 2026, with his wife Rosella Cornaviera by his side.

Ivan was born on Christmas Eve, 1953, in Toronto. He was the cherished only child of Stefan, an engineer, and Olga, a poet and author, who both predeceased Ivan. His parents were active in the Bulgarian community and the Eastern Orthodox Church and planted seeds of humility, spirituality and pride of culture in Ivan at a young age. Ivan was grateful for his precious parents who early on exposed him to many aspects of life that would become passions - art, music, nature, literature, travel, sports and politics. Ivan was devoted to Stefan and Olga and cared for each of them as they aged and passed on. Ivan was also devoted to his cousin Stan, whom he loved and cared for until he passed.

Ivan started life in Regent Park and grew up in Willowdale. He had fond memories of learning music and playing football and hockey at Earl Haig High School. Ivan received his undergraduate degree in Architectural Science from Ryerson University in 1982 and his Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania in 1985, where he made lasting friendships. Ivan interned in the Philadelphia and NYC offices of Pritzker Prize winning Architect Robert Venturi and Denise Scott-Brown and treasured his life long relationship with Bob and Denise and their son Jimmie, whom he considered a younger brother.

When Ivan returned to Toronto, he built a small, lively and diverse practice. He was continuously involved in the practice and teaching of architecture and his work has been published in both national and international publications. After many years teaching at Ryerson University he was recruited to the Daniels Faculty, University of Toronto, where he taught numerous courses and studios. Ivan was a proponent of sustainability and was a pioneer of the “Tower Renewal” movement. He co-authored the “Tower Renewal Guidelines,” which has become the definitive work on the rehabilitation of vintage high-rise housing. Over the years he has taught architecture to thousands of students and designed beautiful structures and homes for grateful clients.

Architecture was more than a passion for Ivan. He lived and breathed it. Every structure was interesting to him. He saw beauty in nature, numbers, shapes and textures. He was not impressed by trends or brands but could appreciate the intrinsic beauty of an object. And he loved a good deal so spent many happy hours scouring junk shops for treasures.

Ivan was a perfectionist who agreed that “God is in the details”. Every task, whether designing a medical building, a house, a piece of furniture, or hanging a piece of art, was approached with the same intensity of planning, preparation and successful execution.

Ivan married Rosella in 2008. He often said it was one of the best moves he ever made. Ivan designed and built a unique modern home for them on the lake in Cobourg where they enjoyed many years of blissful living. Every day he would look out at the lake and marvel at his good fortune to be living such a beautiful life with his best friend and love of his life.

Ivan was “cool”. He was thoughtful and kind and listened more than he talked. His quiet and humble demeanour belied a keen intelligence and a sharp wit. He hated pretence and artifice and loved simplicity. He was interesting and affable but also enjoyed his own company, listening to music from his vast vinyl collection, playing his guitar or practising his putting.

Ivan believed strongly in maintaining his connection to his community and the church. Ivan was an active, lifelong member of Sts. Cyril and Methody Macedonian-Bulgarian Cathedral in Toronto. Like his father before him, Ivan had the pleasure of serving as president of the church executive committee, an elected position of which he was very proud.

On retiring Ivan was able to devote time to new and old interests - he took up the motorcycle, got back into ice skating and hockey, pursued his guitar lessons, travelled and honed his golf game. Ivan was a member of the Dalewood Senior Men's Golf League and very much enjoyed the camaraderie of golfing with his many "dudes”. In his customary black golfing attire, he often could be heard expressing his wonderment at what a wonderful time of life it was to be out in nature, leisurely playing golf and never letting his scorecard dictate his day on the course.

Ivan leaves Rosella, his cousins, in laws, extended family, many dear friends, and dog Twig, who all struggle to believe he is gone, who miss him dearly but take comfort in so many rich memories of a life well and truly lived.

The funeral will be held Friday July 31st at York Cemetery and Funeral Centre.
Visitation at 10, service at 11, burial at 12.

A celebration of Ivan’s life will be held in the fall, in Cobourg, on a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ivan’s memory may be made to Ed’s House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre, in Cobourg, or to a charity of your choice.