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February
09,
2010
Michael
Burns Sr. Passes Away at 84
FORT ERIE,
February 09...The only photographer to have
won three Eclipse Awards for outstanding thoroughbred
photography in North America, Michael Francis Donnelly
Burns, who worked at racetracks since 1943 when he started
as an apprentice at “Old” Woodbine in downtown
Toronto, passed away at the age of 84 on February 8.
Burns earned a record seven Sovereign Awards for “outstanding photography,” his
most recent coming in 2009. He was part of the sports scene around the world
for the past seven decades, including his role as the official photographer for
the Canadian government at five Olympics, as well as covering several PanAm and
Commonwealth Games.
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, before coming to Canada when he was 11-months-old,
Burns always had a special affinity for thoroughbreds.
He was the official photographer of the Ontario Jockey Club (Woodbine Entertainment
Group) since 1956 and had a well-earned reputation as one of Canada’s most
respected photographers.
His photos promoted racing for more than 60 years. While working for Turofsky
Photos in the 1940s and 1950s, Burns covered the National Hockey League at Maple
Leaf Gardens.
He also earned accolades while shooting major curling events around the world,
as the official photographer of the Canadian Curling Association since 1958.
Motorsports was also a big part of his career, shooting the racing circuit when
Mosport opened as well as Indy and Formula One racing.
He made a significant donation of over 30,000 negatives to Canada's Sports Hall
of Fame. Capturing over 30 different sports from the late 1940's on, these photos
are available for viewing on a section of the Hall's website - The Michael Burns
Photography Collection.
Burns is a member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, Canada’s Curling
Hall of Fame and the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Helen, and children, daughters Mary-Ellen
and Patricia, and son Michael, brothers Andrew and John (predeceased by his sister
Anne), as well as son-in-law Jonathan Gee and granddaughters Katherine and Alexandria.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday at St. Clement Catholic Church,
409 Markland Drive, Toronto, with a reception to follow at 1 p.m. at St. George’s
Golf & Country Club, 1668 Islington Ave.
Visitation will be available from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday at the Turner & Porter
Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor St. West, Toronto.
Donations can be made c/o Dr. A. Simone, Canadian Food for Children Organization,
40 King George Rd., Toronto, Ontario, M8X 1L3.
Daryl
Wells
Media and Communications
1-800-295-3770 ext. 3204
e-mail: dwells@forterieracetrack.ca
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