John William "Johnny" WALES

November 17, 1953 – September 6, 2024 It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of artist, Johnny Wales, at his home in Sado, Japan. He succumbed to diabetes-related kidney failure. Johnny's early education was at Humber Heights and Hilltop public schools and Lakefield College School. It was while a student at University of Toronto that he won a place on a three-week exchange trip to Japan. This inspired him to obtain a cultural visa to enable him to study Bunya puppetry for a year on Sado Island where he met members of the drum group Ondekoza, later known as Kodo. He toured with them in Europe as their interpreter and lighting technician. While in Italy, he met his future wife, Chieko Yoritate, and they were married in Japan in 1985. They moved to Toronto for five years where Johnny started his illustration work, beginning with "The Toronto Story" by Claire Mackay. Several children's books followed including, "Noguchi, The Samurai" by Burt Konzak, "Gruntle Piggle Takes Off" by Jean Little, and "Coyote's New Suit" and "Coyote Sings to the Moon" both by Thomas King. In 1995, Johnny and Chieko returned to Japan, where they lived for five years in Tokyo before moving to Sado Island. Johnny obtained work illustrating in water colours and pencil drawings, the vanishing aspects of "Old Japan" for Yomiuri Shinbun, a widely circulated daily newspaper, in which his work appeared once a week. His book, "Tokyo Light," contains selections from 15 years of these paintings. After over 30 years, he painted his last one on August 28th. More of his work can be seen on his website: www.johnny-wales.com. Johnny turned his hand to many other artistic endeavours including puppet making, model house building, woodworking and animation projects. In addition to exhibits on Sado, his work has been shown in Tokyo, in "mini-Kyoto", Kanazawa and in Toronto. As a couple, Johnny and Chieko worked together on translations for may ventures including IMAX films. Johnny is mourned by his wife, Chieko; mother-in-law, Mieko Ebina Yoritate; sisters, Morna Wales and Sally Cleveland; nieces, Nat and Rebecca Collins; great-nephew, Lucius David Tellez Collins; and sister-in-law, Melanie Oda. He was predeceased by his parents, Dr. William "Bill" Wales and Morna Mackenzie Murray Wales; his brother, David Henry Murray Wales; and his father-in-law, Saburo Yoritate. Johnny was sent on his way with cuttings of hair from his Sado family and friends, along with his favourite Maple Leafs sweater, a watercolour brush and a sketchbook. In Canada, his life will be remembered, along with that of his brother, David's, at a family gathering in Gore's Landing, Ontario. Johnny, we will miss you and your magnificent artwork, and for the many joyous moments you brought into our lives. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to a favourite charity.