‘Pioneer of photojournalism’ remembered
Jack Marshall received many awards for his notable photos This photo of a mother duck crossing Lakeshore Blvd. by Jack Marshall touched many hearts.
Prominent Canadian photojournalist Jack Marshall has died at the age of 94.
In 1956, Marshall was among seven Canadian journalists to win prizes in the annual National Newspaper Awards for outstanding news work in 1955. He was the only Toronto journalist to win a major award. Marshall became a well known photojournalist, working for the Toronto Telegram, Federal News Photos, and the Toronto Star.
He became the head photographer for the Star Weekly for 25 years and later ran Jack Marshall Ltd. Photography for 50 years.
He took a well-known photo of a mother duck leading her brood across busy Lakeshore Rd., stopping rush-hour Toronto traffic as they waddled by.
Marshall passed away peacefully July 6 at Sunnybrook Veterans Hospital.
Marshall’s daughter, Krista, said she will remember her father as a “pioneer of photojournalism at the Star.”
“He always had an eye for the camera,” she said. “He always carried a camera no matter where he was, and even throughout this past year (when) he spent his last days at Sunnybrook Veterans Hospital, he had his iPhone with him and took the odd picture or two.”
Marshall was a Second World War veteran serving in the Canadian Air Force from 19421946, where he met his wife Mary.
After the war, he brought Mary to Canada, and attended Ryerson and obtained a degree in photography, where he started his work as a photojournalist.
His daughter explained that he built an 18-hole golf course on his property in Meaford, Ont., where he retired with his wife, as golf was a passion.
“You would find him on his golf cart or tractor grooming his course meticulously — another passion for him,” she said.
Marshall was head press photographer for the royal tour of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in1957. He photographed celebrities including Marilyn Monro, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Paul Anka.
Aside from his work, Marshall’s main love in life was his family.
“He was such a strong mentor and leader,” Krista said. “He instilled in me the thought that you have to live for today. He taught me to be the woman that I am today.”
In lieu of flowers, Marshall’s family asked that a donation be made to Sunnybrook Veterans Hospital, Operation Smile or a charity of choice.