March 22, 1949 – January 23, 2016
Miro lost his battle to the universal forces that enlisted him on January 23, 2016. Terribly missed by wife and best friend, Jo-Anne Kershaw; beloved dog, Ellie; and by all who have a story to tell about their memorable and funny encounters with him. He fought long and hard and made sure that all who met him during these past few months would remember his fight. He was hugely loved by most, misunderstood by a few, and miserably let down by the medical profession. Charming, witty and uniquely intelligent, he was also enigmatic and sometimes reclusive, troubled by the dark memories that are often the plight of good police men and women. Over the course of a storied and colourful career with the Toronto Police Service, he helped put away some high profile criminals and put integrity first in all his dealings with the public. An accomplished pianist, he was also a lover of orchids and birds, butterflies and women. Predeceased by parents, Mary and Miro, and brother, Zdenek. Survived by brothers Milan and Jaro. In lieu of flowers or donations, Miro would ask that you offer a biscuit to a stranger’s dog, give cold water to the garbage man on a hot summer day, kibitz with the checkout girl, and throw some milkweed seed into the wind.
The universe needs you, Miro. You can’t do better than that. Je t’adore.
Celebration of life will be held on Friday, January 29, at 11 a.m. at Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main St., Dundas, Ontario.
I had the pleasure of working with Miro in the 1990s at the Criminal Intelligence Service of Ontario, where we were both assigned. Miro was a very talented intelligence analyst, a no-nonsense police officer and a joy to work with. Always quick to share a joke, he also wasn’t shy to share his thoughts and suggestions with me, often knowing that he might ruffle the feathers of some with his bluntness. I valued his honesty however. If it came from his lips, I knew he truly believed it and was passing it on for all of the right reasons. He was a wonderful and loyal supporter and friend to me through those challenging years.
I’ll miss you my friend. Rest in peace.
Chris Lewis, OPP Commissioner, retired.
Tripper and the Meek Family will miss you greeting us, treating Tripp and commenting on Tripp’s “fancy” haircuts at Sanctuary. Our condolences to family and friends.
R.I.P. dear Miro. You were well loved and served your country/community well as a high level police officer. You deserved better from our health care system. Gerry and I will miss you but will never forget you. Jo-Anne, you took good care of him and kept your integrity during his long illness in terrible circumstances. You are an amazing woman. Miro married well.
Dear Jo-Anne,
What a loving obituary!
I am so sorry for your loss and also that I will not be able to attend on Friday.
Ii will look forward to some spring walks with you!
love,
Barb
These words are precious, Joanne. Well done. I’m so very sorry for your loss which is much too soon.
Peace, Teresa Morrow (Jeanette’s friend)
Thinking of you. Mary Jo
Joanne, I was so sorry to hear of Miro’s death. We are currently in the UK, otherwise I would be attending the service on Friday. I will be thinking of you,
Marian
Joanne so sorry to hear of Miro’s passing…brought tears to my eyes. Mike and I will keep you in our thoughts during this most difficult time.
I am laughing but the tears down my face are from sadness. We’ll miss you Miro.
My deepest condolences.
Tony Saldutto
It has been 25 years since I last saw Miro and I was unaware of his situation until the day before he died.
The man was an amazing human being. Diversity and compassion were only two of his talents.
In the late 80’s we were as close as brothers but life took us in different directions and eventually we lost touch. Something I will regret for the rest of my life.
His beautifully written obituary successfully encapsulates his life exquisitely and I could add nothing.
Miro, my dear, dear friend, rest in peace.
Miro anyone who worked with you was a better person for it, your cutting wit,outspoken personality and your love of the job made working with you an Honour.
Rest in Peace my friend
My first partner in the Organized Crime Squad, he made it fun, the most eclectic person I have known and thanks Miro for the Attacus Atlas giant moths…find peace my friend…
Miro . It was a pleasure to have known you if only for a short time, we had many a good laugh when we met on walks and will miss your views on all manner of subjects including small dogs and sausages. Jo-Anne you took good care of him and deserve a medal for all the stress you had to bear with the medical fraternity
RIP Miro
BEVERLY TIRE & AUTO DUNDAS
MIRO, WE WILL MISS YOU AND ELIE COMING INTO THE SHOP FOR SERVICE. TELLING US STORIES
THAT MADE US LISTEN AND LAUGH,THEY WERE GOOD TIMES. ALWAYS A PLEASURE,
REST IN PEACE MIRO………
Jo-Anne
I am very sorry for your loss. Miro was great guy, a dog lover and friend to Prince and I over the years. He often stopped when I was out walking Prince, to let Ellie out to romp with Prince and let Ellie have a treat from me. I loved his sense of humour and will miss seeing him pull up with Ellie. He will always be in my heart and thoughts. If there is anything you need, even just a shoulder please phone and I’ll come right up.
With Love
Val. Owen
RIP Miro
Like another poster I had not seen Miro in many years. In earlier times on the Police Force young recruits were sent
out into front line service for evaluation by their longer serving peers.One would have to have been blind to not see what an asset Miro would be to the Toronto Police.And thus he became
We in the west had very few opportunities to spend time with Miro but of the few that we did it was always a pleasure. Even with this brief exposure he became a loved and respected brother in law and uncle.
He was a marvellous son in law. During phone calls home I often heard of the care that he showed to his mother and father in law, the humour and times he spent with them. A son to them during challenging times.
Jo-Anne, our deepest sympathy. The last few days everyone has expressed their love and fondness for both of you.
Miro is lovingly remembered by all here.
Rick, Carol and family
Jo-Anne,
I can only imagine from what I have read about Miro & knowing you all these years, that you had a wonderful relationship. Glad you found each other & sending much love to you.
Linda Osmond
Dear Jo-Anne. I only met Miro a couple of times and I’m sorry I didn’t know him better. My thoughts are very much with you. Just a lovely message above in honour of your husband. Sincerely, Bev
Dear grouchy old man at Sanctuary park who gave me dog biscuits but only when I sat and stopped barking. I knew deep down you were awesome under that guise of a curmudgeon. And I bet you did watch the CBC even though you mocked my owner mercilessly about how stupid it is. I miss ya dude. I think of you (and your biscuits) every time I enter your park. Love and paws, Stanley Moose Mantik Johnston
RIP Miro
So sorry to hear of your loss, Joanne. Our deepest sympathy.
Dear JoAnne:
I am truly sorry for your loss. What a beautiful obituary – I had only met Miro once but he struck me as a kind soul. I know you have had to be strong in caring for your husband during his illness but that is what love is about. My thoughts are with you. Fellow Soroptomist Janet Barnard.
Beautifully written. Rest in Peace Mr. Pristupa. Too well loved to ever be forgotten.
Jo-Anne
Holy @#$% Batman! What a great thing you wrote in the obit – never seen anything like it! Beautiful!
Several people in these comments have said the same thing, and the friends and relatives that saw it have contacted me with condolences, said the same thing.
And his “soul” is with you every time you think of him and have a memory about him.
You take care Mister! (deep breath in…..all the way out! – Repeat as necessary)
PS – FYI we’re giving treats to the local dogs and birds in the morning in Miro’s memory! MUCH much better than flowers or donations!!!!!!! I love it!
I had the pleasure and honour of working with Miro in the 1980s and 1990s while he served with the Toronto Police Service and later at the Criminal Intelligence Service of Ontario. Miro often made me laugh, shared humourous stories, but always remained steadfast and dedicated to his police duties. He was extremely honest, hardworking and a loyal friend to everyone.
Miro, you will be missed by us all. Rest in peace.
Michael Maciuk
Thank you my mentor, my friend and my children’s “Dragon Teacher”. We could always count on you for the truth and for fun. May your memory be eternal Miro. Rest in Peace.
Beautifully said Joanne, he was so proud of you – you SO understood him. Our thoughts are with you at this sad time.
Helene, Michael and Leiah
Hi Miro!!!
I am so going to miss the silver bullet going by my house, or at your reserved parking by the park (either with Ellie safely in back of the bullet, or by your side). I am going to miss your sarcastic wit (at my expense of course) and the practice of being able to zing one back. You were a big part of Cagney’s puppy-hood. You were the only person who could almost bring her to have a seizure of joy whenever she saw you, smelled you, heard your voice, walked by your house. Miro you became such a big part of this Pleasant Valley neighborhood, and you will be remembered fondly. In lieu of flowers I will be blowing milkweed into the wind cause that is just too cool!
Love ya!
My Mum told me you have left us and for that I am sad. I am glad I got to know you; you always had a nice word and cookie for me. On our morning walks when I would see your car in your special parking spot at the park I would pull on my leash as I know you and Ellie would be there and you and Mum could have a visit while Ellie and I had a good sniff. I will miss you but promise I will share my treats like you taught me. I know your pockets remain filled with bisquits for all the heavenly pups and you will continue to educate those you see on the trail. Licks and wags from Naik the Wonder Dog!
God Bless you Miro!
Jo-anne, What an exquisite and ethereal necrology you’ve written in Miro’s honour.
May care and love surround you, providing you with much comfort and peace throughout the days ahead. Be gentle with yourself.
My most sincere condolences.
Miro:
I will miss you my friend, especially all those mornings working on the cryptic crossword puzzles from the Globe & Mail when we worked together in the “Big Smoke” at CISO.
Like the puzzles you were quite “cryptic” but I was very proud to be called your friend.
Bob Pearson, Retired HWRP
Dear JoAnn
What a lovely obit.I rember Miro fondly from Timmies in the Grove. I would pick up a donut and coffee
and take them to the car so that could smoke. Miro and I would often share a joke and discuss
the headlines. It was always a pleasure to run into him. What a sad loss.
What a lovely obituary Jo-Anne: I am going to miss all those visits back and forth to Sarnia Miro.
Will think of you often. Your favourite mother-in-law.
We are very sad to have lost our neighbour and friend Miro. Matt and I enjoyed our frequent chats outside our house whether it was about politics or pizza. Miro was very ‘real’ and that is what we loved about him.
Our dog Roscoe was obviously drawn to Miro and his neverending pocket of treats. Miro had such a kind heart and enjoyed getting smiles from our daughter. We are sad that our daughters will not get to know their “Uncle Miro”. He had such a soft spot for them!
Jo-Anne, our thoughts are with you during this very difficult time. We are glad to have gotten to know Miro and we will carry those memories with us always.
Love the Andertons
It is with sincere sadness in my heart that I send my condolences on the loss of Miro. We did not know each other well but did have an interesting background from our earlier days at Masaryk Town camp with his whole family.
Anyone that had the opportunity and pleasure of meeting Miro was indeed a lucky person. And anyone who was fortunate enough to have gained his trust and friendship was truly blessed to have known him… You will be missed by many. God Bless and Rest in Peace. Wendy Gunn aka Wendells.
I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of Miro. He was a true gentleman. The 3 years I enjoyed working with Miro at CISO revealed a man of honesty, integrity and dedicated Toronto police officer. I will miss you my friend.
It is difficult to lose your soul mate Jo-Anne. You were a wonderful caregiver to Milo and provided much needed love and support in his final days. I am so sorry for your loss. I will be honoured to celebrate Milo’s celebration of life tomorrow.
Barb
Dear Jo-Anne,
what beautiful words you wrote in memory of Miro. I am so very sorry for your lost. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Heather
Our family has lost a wonderful friend, a caring soul, a gruff debater, a sparring intellect! We will always remember meeting Miro for the first time. The silver bullet pulled up in front of our house with Miro asking to have a word with Shawn about our two children. He couldn’t understand why we were derelict in our parental duties – our kids should be inside watching tv, or playing on their computers. As Miro said; What kind of parents allow their kids to sit on the front porch and read? Over the years we have enjoyed our mental sparring during walks, the quick jabs and the long conversations. Our lives were blessed because of Miro. You could see the love, and life, that eminated from his soul. Joanne, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Love and hugs, Shawn, Chrim, Sarah, Julia and Star.
Today I toast my friend and neighbor, I will miss you and your wit. You had a depth and heart that was endless. I am so grateful for all the backyard conversations I was able to enjoy this past summer with you and Jo-Anne. My life is certainly enriched from knowing you! I will be bringing as much milk weed seed from the cottage, some neighbors will understand and some will be wondering…..ha!
Loss of a childhood good friend, even after some many years of separation, is still difficult to take. Sorry Miro.
Miro, aka the cookie man, was a force of nature, a quick wit, a tender heart, and a steadfast friend.
The world was a better place for his presence and is now a much sadder place for his absence.
I will miss you, my dear friend.
My sincerest condolences to Miro’s family. I hadn’t seen Miro in many years but he truly is a hard person to forget. He was a coworker and sometime partner in 31 Division and We also worked at the Intelligence unit on Richmond st at the same time.
A gentleman and a friend. I will remember him for a long time.
Rest in peace Miro we shall meet again.
Tom Slezak
It came across my mind this morning to google Pristupa and a few of the other names I remember from fun times at Masaryk Town as a kid. I was saddened to see Miro’s obit come up. In reading what was written about him I would say that some of the kindness his father had rubbed off on him. When I was a little kid I’d get playing in the new subdivision and forget where I left my bike. His dad helped me find it. I’d routinely get my pant leg caught between the chain and sprocket, he would free it up. It happened so often he came around one day and said “Ernie, I have something for you” and gave me a pant clip. Problem solved and much appreciated.
My condolences to you brothers. Ernie.
Seeing the announcement in the Czech and Slovak paper “Novy Domov”, brought memories of days gone by, when your father and as well, your grandfather, devoted their time, love and interest in the Czech and Slovak community in Toronto. They both presided as presidents of Masaryk Memorial Institute where your grandfather help purchase the farm, now a beautiful park in Scarborough serving the greater community, enjoyed as a summer camp by all our children and probably yourself as well. You and your family served your community well and we all benefited. Thank you.
Ivo and Milly Syptak and family
I knew Miro from our years at Oakwood Collegiate….I have not seen him since our last highschool reunion…quite a few years ago…I just saw his obituary in Novy Domov…so sorry to hear of his passing…my condolances to his family….