Boris Spremo, C.M.

October 20, 1935 – August 21, 2017

On August 21, 2017, our mother lost her beloved husband, we four sisters lost our Dad, and our children lost their grandpa, after a short battle with cancer at the age of 81.

Our Dad is survived by our Mom, Ika (Ludmila), children, Linda (David Burnes), Sandy (Scotty Bain), Anita and Diana (Steve Lytle). He was a loving grandfather to Jessica, Jamie, Michael, Marley, Laura, Nicole and Ashley. He will be sadly missed by his extended family and his many close friends in Canada, Belgrade and Zagreb.

Our Dad’s 38-year career as a photojournalist was his passion and love, superseded only by love for his family. Born in Yugoslavia in 1935, Dad discovered his love for photography at a young age, and perfected his skill that would offer him an illustrious career and the opportunity to travel the world. After escaping on foot through the Yugoslavian mountains into Italy, spending a year at a refugee camp, Dad escaped again, landing in Paris, where he spent the next three years.

In 1957, he made Toronto his home, with nothing more than a camera, fifty dollars and the desire to turn his passion into a living. In 1959, he married the love of his life, our Mom, and they would spend 58 incredible years together. With a lot of hard work, Dad’s photos caught the attention of the Globe and Mail, who hired him in 1962, where he stayed for four years, before moving to the Toronto Star in 1966. Dad’s 38-year photojournalism career earned him an illustrious reputation as well as hundreds of regional, national and international awards.

Dad travelled extensively with The Star, covering everything from war zones to peace rallies, famines to droughts, royal tours to political tours, and Olympic Games to celebrities. Yet when at home, he always made time for backyard fun, where we enjoyed our pool, basketball and badminton tournaments and family BBQs. We also enjoyed many family vacations together.

After his retirement in 2000, Dad loved spending time with family and friends at the cottage, while always having a camera nearby. He also loved to travel the world with Ika and their close group of friends, played tennis regularly, and enjoyed driving his 1959 Cadillac through the streets of Toronto.

Dad always made us feel that we were his priority. We never lost sight that we meant everything to him. We will love you forever, Dad.

Friends will be received for a visitation at the Mount Pleasant Funeral Home, 375 Mt Pleasant Rd, Toronto, on Monday, August 28th from 3-5pm and 7-9 pm. The funeral will be held the following day, Tuesday, August 29th at the same location starting at 2pm. Reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations to The Boris Spremo Photojournalism Award at Ryerson University would be appreciated at www.Ryerson.ca/BorisSpremo.