Photographer and night picture desk editor Jeff de Booy retires after working for two major Canadian dailies in his life , 8 years with Winnipeg Tribune , 28 years at the Winnipeg Free Press .
Jeff de Booy was born January 12th, 1952 in Diemen, a suburb of Amsterdam in The Netherlands. He Immigrated to Canada, along with his family, in the summer of 1955, landed at the famous Pier 21 in Halifax and settled in Winnipeg.
While on assignment our Jeffy was intentionally cut under the eye with the stick of his favourite player and hockey legend Gordie Howe while the two were sitting in the penalty box during a WHA game. A p-off ,Mr. Hockey thought he was getting too close with his camera when he jabbed Jeff below the eye with his stick drawing blood and causing uproar from the fans and column the next day for Jack Mathesson .
Talk about getting close , music legend Liberace would say to him , while shaking his hand “My what a handsome young boy” during a hotel room interview with Trib writer Gene Telpner .
This job is forever a rushed . His exceptional darkroom skill earned him the nick name the “mechanic “ from his peers .
His selflessness also show by the fact that be belongs to an exclusive world wide 7% club when it comes to blood types. He has the rarest and most exceptional Type O- blood. His blood type makes him a universal blood donor who contributed every 55 days like precision clockwork over 168 consecutive blood donations continuously over 43 years .
He worked for the Tribune newspaper until 1979 when he began doing specialized magazine feature in work for The Tribune's own Trib Magazine. The Winnipeg Tribune, along with The Trib Magazine folded in 1980.He and his family experienced this devastating historic event first hand . The sudden closing of a 90 year old daily newspaper shocked everyone across Canada , and was one of many newspaper closings during this tumultuous time . Jeff then continued to work as a photojournalist for The Winnipeg Free Press and other publications on a freelance basis.
When a photographic position opened up at the Free Press 5 years later , his reputation as a quality photographer & person , team player , general news & sports photographer with specialized feature , fashion and studio skills got him invited to our staff by Gerry Cairns . Fortunately for us on December of 1986, Jeff resumed a full time career as a Photojournalist for The Winnipeg Free Press.
Jeff distinguishing himself with remarkable pictures during the Red River Flood of the Century in 1997 and the Free Press books about the flood as well contributing a chapter full of pictures dealing with the Interlake Region of Manitoba in the WFP book The Way We Live.
In 2005, Jeff took on the position of Night Photo Editor until this day. A person who kept his opinions to himself and was always willing to offer them when anyone asked ,he has been a great mentor to new staff. His exceptional-ism has not diminished over these many years . He will be missed , we thank him for his 28 years of service and his friendship.
Topic: WFP Photog Jeff de Booy Retires (Read 2255 times)