Mount Pleasant Cemetery
Plot TR Lot 25
The O’Born family monument is as distinctive as their legacy: an elaborate yet playful tribute to the power of the printed word. It reflects not only the family’s commitment to education and communication, but also the warmth and creativity that defined their journey.
In 1961, Earle O’Born, a skilled journeyman typesetter, purchased a modest letterpress shop in downtown Toronto. From that humble start, The Printing House (TPH) grew into a Canadian printing powerhouse. Known for its memorable slogan, “We make you look good on paper,” TPH revolutionized instant printing in Canada and introduced innovations that reshaped the industry. From franchising corporate locations to creating the country’s first digital print network, TPH was consistently ahead of the curve, connecting Toronto to Vancouver with seamless digital workflows long before such systems were in common practice.
Today, TPH operates coast to coast in major cities like Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, Niagara, Toronto and Halifax. The O’Born family’s story is one of vision, resilience and adaptability, a legacy etched in stone and carried forward in every printed page.
Sources:
• TPH – “Our Story”
• Graphic Monthly Canada (PDF) – “Earle O’Born — Printer of the Year”
• PrintCAN – “Earle O’Born To Receive the Fraser Institute Founders’ Award”
Photo: Luis Ficher, Mount Pleasant Group
