RICHARD (RICK) SELMANOVIC

Condolences & Memories (13 entries)

• EULOGY for RICK Rick, Richard, Rico, A few of the names that my brother answered to over the years. Ricardo, Ricky Rocks. He was OK with any of them. I called him Rick. He was my oldest brother, the first of four boys in our family. In psychology Birth Order Theory, it’s said that the first born tends to have a strong sense of responsibility. They are often conscientious and act as caretakers to younger siblings. And they can be people pleasing. All these things were true for Rick. All admirable qualities my brother possessed. When I look back in retrospect, I see how important it was for Rick to maintain peace in our family and around him. Even when he and I disagreed or argued over the years, most of the time Rick was right. And he was able to find some way to diffuse the tension, so we could move on. It was as if he knew life is short. That’s what I’m choosing to remember today. Over the years Rick created an archive of family photos that he cherished. It’s through that nostalgic picture gallery that I have been able to fill in gaps in memory and revisit our childhood and teen years. Rick, like all of us brothers, was a normal Transcona kid. He gravitated to sports such as soccer, hockey, football and baseball. We lived across from a schoolground with playing fields that made summer sports very accessible. And in the winter we were midway between Mapes and Pirates for some ice rink action. If he wasn’t playing sports, Rick enjoyed watching games on TV, cheering on the Bombers and the Jets as if he was there in the stands. In later years, at some point after high school, Rick laced up his soccer shoes once again to play with a ragtag group of locals called The Transcona Strikers. One of the things that bonded me and Rick was our love of music. I was lucky to have my older brother to share the discovery and enjoyment of music. Who can forget those K-Tel classic records of the day? Rick started the habit of going to Woolworths to pick out one of the 45’s that was popular on the charts that week. And we would share the excitement of bands like The Who, The Archies, The Monkeys and The Beatles. Once we knew we were all in, Rick and I joined a record club together where we ordered 8-track tapes by mail. The initial purchase included a basic 8-track player and speakers. I still remember our first thrilling music purchase. Deep Purple - Machine Head and Neil Diamond - Gold. As our taste in music grew, we evolved to records and cassettes, along with a better stereo system. Our basement was our music sanctuary. Rick and I spent a lot of time down there together. I recall a game we used to play where Rick would ask me to lie down on the couch, without peeking, and he would surprise me by playing a song from one of the albums in our collection. Then, we would swap places, and I would choose the song while he lay down. We would have been in our early teens by then, enjoying such classics as Pink Floyd, David Bowie and Led Zeppelin. I started learning guitar around that time and before long found myself playing with a couple friends, hacking our way through painful versions of some current rock songs. That was when Rick got a bass guitar and joined the band. His ear was better than ours and he was a natural talent. He quickly stepped into the role of leader of our first bona fide band. Rick’s love of music never faded. Like his photo collection, he curated a meticulous music library that brought him great joy through the years. In the midst of his illness, over 50 years later, he told me how much music was helping him cope. That’s what I’m choosing to remember today. Rick loved the beach. Growing up, it was Grand Beach. The sun, the sand, the water. Later, while living in Toronto, Cuba became his beach destination. He traveled there every winter for years, and even formed friendships with the locals. I know he fit right in with the people and the culture. Through the years, Rick owned many cars that he cared for meticulously. None was more special to him than his first car. It was an early 70’s red Chevelle SS muscle car. His pride and joy. Of course he had a good sounding stereo in there to play cassettes that we made from our record collection. We enjoyed many a ride in that cool red rocket blasting the likes of Santana, Bad Company and Queen. It was Rick who taught me how to drive. This happened before he got his Chevelle. I remember learning in our Uncle Mike’s Lincoln Continental. Rick was incredibly patient as my untrained foot spastically pumped the pedals flinging us like ragdolls into near-whiplash contortions. Thankfully, Rick had the foresight to do this training in a huge empty parking lot away from obstacles. We laughed about it later. That’s what I’m choosing to remember today. Rick’s sense of humour and laughter. Most important to Rick was family. His photo collection was the thread that kept the family story relevant. A look back at what was. A reminder that this journey is brief. Transcona in all its glory. Our little bungalow on Rosseau Ave. The excitement of kids at Christmas. Birthday cakes and bicycles. Toboggans and the snow. The chaos and the calm. The Aunties. The Uncles. And all the amazing cousins. Rick was right. It is so short. That’s what I’m choosing to remember today. Thank you, Rick! - Posted by: Rob Selmanovic (Brother) on: Jun 20, 2026

• He will be missed dearly! Rest in peace Rick! - Posted by: Bissa Scekic (Sister from Nabet) on: Oct 10, 2025

• I worked with Rick for many years. He was a soft spoken and kind man who will be dearly missed , respected and remembered in our film family. My condolences to family , friends and colleagues who will miss Rick. Xo Chucky - Posted by: charlene seniuk (Colleague) on: Oct 06, 2025

• I am really saddened to here as Rick has been a driver on many shows I have worked on I Rick was always there to offer a helping hand and on long shuttle rides a welcoming chat ! He was a very kind man! He will be missed, RIP Rick 🙏🏼 - Posted by: Joan Chell (Union Brother) on: Oct 06, 2025

• I have known Rick since he began driving in the film business and worked countless hours with him. He was serious about only a couple things; those being his home, family and a darn good laugh. Happened to bump into him in the summer at the grocery store and again he laughed that he'd lost his hair and again we chatted music and family. See ya on the other side Rick. Happy Trails my friend. Dennis. - Posted by: Dennis Kuss (Co-worker) on: Oct 06, 2025

• Our deepest condolences to Randy, Lucille & Jordan, Rob and Barry We were all so blessed to have Rick as family...to have him want to spend time with us was so special! He loved his family and friends dearly and to hear him laugh and his big brown eyes light up was something I'll always remember about him. One of our last times together, we watched a family video he had put together; music and all. He was so proud of it. We are so proud of you dear cousin. Rest in Peace. - Posted by: Betty & Arny (Cousin) on: Oct 06, 2025

• Dear Rick Selmanovic Family , I can tell you Rick will be missed by many .I've worked with Rick many times over the last 20 plus years. We have had many great conversations about so many different topics over the years .I last had the pleasure to ride with Rick in his van a couple of months ago when he came to work on Murdoch Mysteries .That's when I found out about his illness and encouraged him to keep fighting .That was the last time I saw him and once again we had great conversation .I will miss our great conversations . Fly Free Rick. Your friend Billie Blast - Posted by: Billie Blast (Colleague and friend) on: Oct 06, 2025

• From all the wardrobe girls who ever got in your van …..always a gentleman. Many long nights and even longer days, Rick was always a voice of calm and reason. We will miss you Sir. xo Adrienne/wardrobe Nabet 700 - Posted by: Adrienne Tyson (Crew member/costume department) on: Oct 06, 2025

• Sad to hear this news…it was a pleasure to have know Rick. We have had many lovely conversations over the years and just recently as well. A soft spoken gentle man…he will be missed . - Posted by: Tracy Bentley (Film/tv friend) on: Oct 06, 2025

• Ricky I called him working in film & TV Nabet 700 union. He was such a gentle polite shuttle driver. Always asked how you were, never found him miserable. He will be greatly missed. Ricky hope we meet again on the other side RIP - Posted by: Debra Way Toronto (Worked in TV & film with Rick) on: Oct 06, 2025

• Rest in peace Rick. - Posted by: Michael Wood (Roommate in the 90s) on: Oct 05, 2025

• My deepest Condolences to the Salmanovic Families. Went to school with Rick in Transcona, played hockey at Pirates CC ,hung around with Rick, He was such a funny fella to be with ,Lots of fond memories ,Very Sorry he has passed away. - Posted by: Randy Jones (Friend) on: Oct 04, 2025

• I first met Rick in the early 90’s back in Toronto. He was such a great guy, whether it be with good advice, sharing his love for music, or his seemingly endless source of hilarious stories. We fell out of touch a few years after I moved out west in 2009, but we would fondly recall his company with many a “do you remember this Rick story!” Rest in peace, brother… - Posted by: Patrick Caraher (Friend) on: Oct 04, 2025