Peterborough photographer George Dimitroff passes away from COVID-19

kawarthaNOW has learned the identity of the man in his late 60s who passed away on Sunday (April 12) at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) due to complications from COVID-19. This is the first COVID-19 related death in the Peterborough area.

In a media release issued earlier on Sunday, Peterborough Public Health indicated the man had acquired COVID-19 through a travel exposure.

According to public Facebook posts on Sunday afternoon from friends, the man who passed away is Peterborough photographer Dr. George Dimitroff.

“My heart is broken for friend and neighbour George Dimitroff and family,” Lisa Jackson wrote. “George passed away today from Covid-19 and is the first death here in Peterborough. We had the pleasure of first meeting George as a local photographer who did many photo shoots with Nathan and other STRUTT Talent.”

“George and his wife Sheila were both incredible nature photographers and world travellers. It was said that he contracted Covid from his travels. The world is a sadder place without this incredible man. This has hit home right in our backyard.”

The 68-year-old Dimitroff was a retired psychologist who had worked with the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington Catholic District School Board for 27 years as the board’s psychologist, the first person to serve that role at a system level.

According to a media release issued by the board on Monday (April 13), Dimitroff was highly regarded in his field and dedicated his career to supporting the mental health and well-being of staff, students, and school communities.

“In his position, George Dimitroff was called upon to bring a sense of calm and understanding as he helped the board and schools navigate challenging times throughout his distinguished career at the board,” says the board’s director of education Michael Nasello in the media release. “He will be dearly missed by former colleagues and many in our board community. The board offers its prayers to Dr. Dimitroff’s family. We join our prayers for the repose of his soul and for comfort and condolences to his entire family.”

Superintendent Joan Carragher says Dr. Dimitroff always brought a strong sense of care and compassion to his work.

“One of the last duties George performed before he retired was supporting a school community through the tragic loss of one of their very young students,” Carragher recalls. “George went to the school every day to ensure the students and staff had the support they needed to manage this profound loss. We relied on George’s professionalism, knowledge, and skills to support many students and staff over his 27 years with our board.”

After Dimitroff retired in 2012, he became an avid nature and travel photographer.

A member and president of the Peterborough Photographic Society, he held various exhibitions of his photography, including at the SPARK Photo Festival.

He was also a photographer with Strutt modelling agency and photographed Peterborough native Theresa Longo. The model and actress expressed her shock on Facebook upon learning of his passing.

Dimitroff became ill in late March, according to social media posts.

He is survived by his wife Sheila and their three children and four grandchildren.

Tributes from those who knew Dimitroff, either in his work as a photographer or as a psychologist with the school board, continue to be shared on Facebook as people learn of his passing.