Please accept our sincerest condolences for your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts at this difficult time.  Gone too soon. 
From BOULTON AVENUE CHILD CARE CENTRE STAFF MEMBERS.

Dear Joanne and Pete and family

I am heartbroken over the loss of Pat. I wish I was closer so I could give you a big hug.  I treasure our long friendship and so grateful to be a part of your life. We have shared many laughs and  many tears over the years.  

I have no words that encompass the depth of feeling when a mother loses a child,   so I will share the lyrics of a beautiful song I recently heard. 

I and sending you Light

I am sending you Light, To heal you, To hold you
I am sending you Light, To hold you in Love
I am sending you Light, To heal you, To hold you
I am sending you Light, To hold you in Love

Know that I love you and am sending you so much love, energy  and light. ❤️

Love Trish aka Patti

This film photo was taken on March 7th, at the large gathering of Toronto artists that Patrick organized. Benny Bing is on the right, and I am on the left. We are all heartbroken at this great loss.

This image shows Patrick's finished work on the title wall of my exhibit. Patrick completely elevated the wall space around the main title sign by applying layers of insightful messages and insights with much thoughtfulness and creativity. Everyone who saw it was moved by Patrick's impressive work.
Also in this photo is Benny Bing - a fellow artist and dear friend to Patrick - and myself, on the right. 
May we hold on to and remember who Patrick was and what he stood for. His kindness and friendship, his love and pride at being a father, his thoughtful processing of meaningful issues, and his clear creative vision are some of what I will hold on to.

This image is from May 2022. Patrick collaborated with me on the title wall of an exhibit called On Notice. This was taken partway through Patrick's work on the wall. He came with a notebook full of ideas and referred to it throughout the process of making the art surrounding the exhibit title. I was so impressed at what Patrick created, and so thankful at his willingness to partner with me in this way.

I first met Patrick at an art show many years ago and had a great conversation. We stayed in touch, occasionally talking about collaborating - an idea where he might use some of my photos as a base for building his own unique art. In this film photo I took of Patrick in April 2023, he is holding a set of posters that I acquired from a person who pastes up ads on empty walls around Toronto. Patrick was considering using elements of the posters in his artwork.
Like many, I am feeling deep grief at Patrick's loss. My prayers and love go out to all who are sharing in his loss. May comfort and strength uphold each one in this moment and in the path ahead.

Was always so nice to be in your company dear Pat. Your energy, your smile, your laugh - beautiful. Grateful to have had the moment with you to collaborate together showcasing our passions at The Spoke Club. You fully bloomed into a beautiful artist. A moment I will cherish is the day we went to the art walk together and the excitement you had for your upcoming works. Thank you for sharing your art with us. This picture was on a summer night with Teegs & Steve -we had a great night :) Thank you dear Pat for the memorable times. I will miss you. 

Sending you so much love dear Skals family & loved ones of Pat. You are in my thoughts and prayers. 

XO

Pat, I am heartbroken to learn you are no longer with us. you were a true light and brought so much joy to every moment we spent together. From our time at university and how you and Kris took me in as one of your own; I will always be grateful for the kindness and warmth you showed me. To your family, I am sending all my love and support as you navigate this heartbreak. Rest easy, Pat

I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I met Patrick in Chicago for the Other Art fair and instantly became friends. He had a kindless that goes deeper than anyone I have ever met. We definitely bonded like brothers and I could tell that it was a start of a very long friendship. What I loved the most about him, was the support and praise he gave other artists. He saw all the good in art and the artist behind the creations. He was always so inspiring!!! Rest in peace buddy! You will be deeply missed. My condolences to his family and friends.  B.

My sincere condolences to Patrick's family and friends. I followed Patrick on Instagram and messaged him when he talked about his brother and his own struggles with mental illness. I did not know him but I do  believe he tried so hard. 
May Patrick rest in peace. I went to church to light a candle for him.
Cathy B
Montreal artist

I’m so deeply saddened to hear of his passing. I still remember meeting him at my very first art show—someone I had admired and looked forward to meeting.  What stayed with me most was how easy he was to talk to; it felt like reconnecting with an old friend rather than meeting someone for the first time.
He was truly kind, crazy talented, and caring soul. . He will be deeply missed, not only for his art but for the beautiful person he was.
My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Dearest Patrick, an inimitable artist, friend, and overall extraordinary human. Throughout our time together at various art shows and other artist events, I got to know your sweet, gentle soul. We shared laughter, great conversations, and my memories are held close to my heart. May your spirit find peace, dear friend.

I am shocked to hear this. Patrick and I were studio mates for a brief time on Geary.  A nice guy! I can’t believe it! A young guy, too!
He came from the business world and was very keen to learn about art stuff. He seemed to know a lot about the business side of things that I knew little of and seemed to use this knowledge well in selling his art. We talked shop, we crossed paths showing at the Artist Project. 

I am very sad for his wife and young child. Condolences.

We have no words to offer that can lessen the pain that you, the family are feeling at this incredibly loss but know that you are in our prayers. It is with heavy hearts that we offer our deepest condolences. May there be angels on your shoulders to help carry you through these darkest times. 
Love
Annemarie and Tony

We met years ago at an art show, set up side by side, and somehow became instant friends. From that very first day, it felt easy—like we had known each other much longer than we had.

He had a genuine love for the arts and an even greater love for the people behind them. He was always there, supporting fellow artists, lifting others up, and celebrating their work with so much enthusiasm. He had a way of bringing people together, creating connections that lasted far beyond any single event.

His kindness, warmth, and passion left a lasting mark on everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed, but the community he helped build and the friendships he nurtured will always carry a part of him forward.

I met Patrick as a fellow artist at Artist Project. He was kind, humble and passionate. The message conveyed in his work was thoughtful and inspiring. My deepest sympathies go out to his family.

So incredibly sorry fo your loss. A wonderfully talented artist whos presence will be greatly missed in the community. He will not be forgotten.

If you're part of Toronto's art community, at some point or another, you'd have ended up in an oversized hug from a giant named Patrick.  Like so many others here, we got to know each other through our art and shared connections. I finally had the pleasure of spending time with him at last year's Artist Project, and had looked forward to my next hug in the coming days. "No man is an island" and Patrick was definitely a Toronto landmass and a touchstone for so many of us in this community. Please take some comfort knowing how much he was loved, and how greatly his absence will be felt. May his memory be a blessing.

Patrick was always in all the local art spaces and always willing to help or advise other artists. He was calm and so deeply kind. I saw him at all our overlapping events and I will miss him.

P was an immediate friend, we bonded about art and life. he doesn't do superficial talk. i will miss sharing silly, humourous things with him, his big heart , disarming vulnerability and his constant talk about his immense love for his baby girl M. i will be eternally grateful for him,  and will greatly miss our friendship.

The Toronto visual arts community has been hit hard with news of Patrick’s passing. His enthusiasm and energy found no bounds. He always had a bear hug for those he held dear, me included. 
Pats was so talented, giving and outrageously liked. His creativity had barely been tapped and I hope you find comfort in knowing Patrick was loved by all us artists who were lucky to know, exhibit with and spend time with him.

Such sad news. I had the pleasure of showing with Patrick in my very first gallery exhibition in 2019. Such a kind soul. I was looking forward to his new gallery opening and was in talks to show there. He was such a talented artist. Condolences to all his loved ones 🙏

I am deeply saddened by the loss of my friend.
He was not only a remarkable artist, but someone who truly showed up for others. He always made time to listen—really listen—and created space for honest conversations about life, its challenges, and the realities of being an artist.  Nothing ever felt surface-level. Our conversations stayed with me long after they ended. I will miss you Patrick.

Patrick was one of those rare people who made every room better just by walking into it. We worked together, played on the same volleyball team, and somewhere along the way he became a close friend. He was wickedly smart, genuinely funny, and had this energy about him that was contagious. You just wanted to be around him.

Some of my favourite memories from my twenties are at Patrick's place. His Halloween parties were legendary. He didn't just host a party, he created an experience. Whether it was one of those nights or just out at the pub with the guys, Patrick had a gift for bringing people together and making every moment count. That was Patrick. He went all in on everything and everyone around him.

When Katie and I got married, there was no question he'd be standing up there with me as a groomsman. That's who he was to us. Not just my friend, but a treasured friend to both of us.

He was such a vibrant member of the Toronto Art Community and he will be deeply missed. I remember being across from him one year at Cabbagetown Art Show and we spent so much time talking  about life, relationships and this crazy journey as an artist. He was so excited about his up-coming 
shows and  pop-up gallery - it is so hard to believe he won't be at the Artist Project next weekend...I will miss his really good hugs!

This was from when Pat was really kicking his art career into gear. He'd invited us to a huge show of one of his friend's works. I could see how much inspiration and drive and energy he was building. Never a dull moment with Pat. Even my cat Paloma will miss him feeding her Popeyes when he was catsitting her 😹

Joanne and Pete, my thoughts are with you. Nothing I say can ease the pain you must feel.

OBITUARIO

Patrick Skals

4 junio, 1984 – 18 marzo, 2026

Thompson Funeral Home

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