Jonathan 'Jonny' Joseph Halley

Jonathan Joseph (Jonny) Halley passed away suddenly on January 22, 2026 with his dad and grandfather near him. Jonny was 20 years old and was way too young to go this early as he never lived his full life.

Jonny is survived by his father and mother, Chris and Amber Halley, his brother and best friend, Louis Halley (Elizabeth Gittins), his sister and sidekick, Reagan, and Lacy Livingstone, the love of his life. Jonny has both sets of grandparents, Gene and Wanda Halley of Kenora and Tom and Deb Dvorak of Minnesota/Wisconsin. Many aunts and uncles, Auntie Andi Koenen (Jeremy), and kids Blake and Haley, Uncle Jesse Dvorak (Dana), Cody and Ethan, Auntie Kate Poncelet (Shane), Lily and Violette, Uncle Rob Halley (Bev), Sarah and Seth, and many more cousins within the states and Canada.

Jonny was born in Kenora and right from the start, he made a quick entrance without the doctor even being present and was so ambitious and accomplished. Jonny had spent most of his life in Kenora and at our family lodge; Halley’s Camps, north of Minaki, Ontario. Jonny, from the young age of two was on the ice and learnt the game of hockey quickly but his love of outdoors sports was snowmobiling, dirt biking, duck hunting, deer hunting, bass fishing, mountain sledding, extreme down hill biking in the mountains, indoor skate parks and more. Jonny started his education at St. Louis catholic elementary school then went onto Saint Thomas Aquinas High school until grade 11. During Jonny’s grade 12 year he was training to be with the Minnesota State Loon Hockey team but then got sick and ended up back in Kenora. Once healed enough, he played Junior Hockey down east of Toronto for Campbellford Rebels. When he returned in the spring of his senior year, he decided to finish his education at Beaver Brae secondary high school. After working and guiding at the family camp over the summer he headed to Edmonton, AB with his cousin Seth and spent time with his brother Louis who was already in the area. Jonny moved back after Christmas and worked with his dad with the family company. Jonny loved working outdoors. He had his favorite chainsaw, excavator, and loved the new skid steer. At the age of two, Jonny could name all the big pieces of machinery and Chris could not work in the yard on a machine without Jonny and/or Louis.

Jonny’s mind worked like no other, he was so inquisitive to find the ways to understand, build and operate within his ideas. He would research certain parts, study how to repair or fix a problem within a machine. You could tell him what had to be done or what project needed work and Jonny would have it already designed with lists of everything required to finish the job. Jonny was excellent at working with his hands. Building one of the nicest barges in Canada. Independently, he followed a vision he wanted to bring to life by creating multiple sketches/blueprints that were hand drawn. When he was working on the barge no one could see his vision or how it was going to turn out, but he knew. Louis got to experience Jonny's creativity firsthand when they replaced a line at camp that should have taken four to five days but instead was completed within a day and a half, all thanks to Jonny and his elaborate dreams.

Jonny had to have things organized and planned just so. If one could only see the toolboxes they were all so organized with each tool having its own designated spot and facing one direction. Jonny continuously tried reminding his brother when home for the holidays to put the tools back in the correct places, but ultimately it was never just right for his liking.

Jonny spent a week with three of his good friends in the mountains snowmobiling in and around Revelstoke just after Christmas. They had stories every day of their adventures and broken sleds. Jonny was fearless and had such a love and passion for sledding, he was a natural at it and never failed to show it.

Jonny was an amazing welder. He had dreams of starting his own business and already took on projects on the side. He was meticulous in everything he did. Even when it came to deer and duck hunting, he had certain plans and equipment that had to be just right. He spent hours in preparation looking at maps and making sure he had everything ready to go. Over time, he wanted to be an engineer, he was taking some advanced courses at Seven Gens with a mid 90’s average. Jonny was supposed to be signing up two days after his death for Lakehead University for mechanical engineering and mechatronics where Lacy was also to attend. He knew what he wanted for a few years, to gain the knowledge and experience of engineering and then he would talk about coming back and working at the camp, using what he had learnt for necessary projects.

Jonny loved spending time with Lacy and Reagan in the evenings after his schooling playing Fornite or watching movies. All the kids would connect and play Xbox with Louis in Edmonton by communicating through phone calls, texts, or Xbox mics. The three Halley kids were so extremely tightly woven, Louis and Reagan will forever be able to feel the presence of Jonny.

For those who knew Jonny, he didn't follow in the path of anyone, he always went his own way and made his own trail. Jonny was very charming and could light up a room with his stories and his smile. He was very quick witted and able to strike up a conversation with anyone. He loved a good debate and learning about innovations, topics and ideas. Jonny was adventurous, loving, brave, incredibly strong, patient, smart, ambitious and detail oriented. He would often say he was not cut out to be a leader but he was a natural; knowing the right communication to use to make everyone work together to get a project done. He was very independent, helpful to others, and was such a likable, funny, amazing kid, young man, brother, son, and friend. Jonny will be truly missed by so many people in all the different communities he has been involved in. Jonny will NOT be forgotten: his smile, his blue eyes, his jokes, and his love for others, he will forever be one of a kind.

Visitation and Prayer Service for Jonny will be held on Thursday, February 5th, 2026 from 7:00 - 9:00pm at Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Centre. Jonny’s funeral will be held on Friday, February 6th, 2026 2:00pm at Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church.

Following the church service there will be a Celebration of life at Pellatt Community Fire Hall followed by supper 3:30pm to 7:00pm and no outside alcohol this is a dry event.

Jonny will be cremated and have some of his ashes buried on his birthday in September.