Stanley Mestel, 65, one of the country’s most distinguished commercial cinematographers, died in a boating accident near his cottage on Lake Couchiching, ON, May 17.

Mestel founded Toronto-based Avion Films with George Morita and Michael Schwartz in 1994. The three had worked together at The Partners’ Film Company since 1978.

‘We all miss Stanley terribly, he brought a lot of life into the place,’ says Schwartz. ‘He was a real jovial character as well as being a brilliant cinematographer and we miss that character, we miss that personality.’

Born in England, Mestel started in the film industry in 1955 at Beaconsfield Studios, a small feature film studio just outside of London. He spent four years as first assistant at Film Producers Guild, became a camera operator in 1966 and got his first break as a DOP in 1971 before moving to Canada in 1977.

Throughout his career, Mestel shot more than 1,500 commercials. He won five Bessies for cinematography and in 1995 received a CSC Award for his short film Paris Crew.

Mestel is survived by sons, Simon and Allen.