Jonathan Isador Amitay

On August 7, 2024, Jonathan Isador Amitay passed away at the age of 84, leaving behind his son, Oren, along with Oren’s wife and three daughters; his daughter, Liat, and her partner; and his ex-wife and mother of his children, Anne. (Jonathan's eldest son, Neil, found his own resting place on January 24, 2022.) Jonathan was a true “crazy artist” in every beautiful sense of the word. His artwork and animated films — created via the unique medium he pioneered — were stunning and provocative, leaving an impact on the viewer in the same way Jonathan did with those who met him and had the opportunity to engage his brilliant mind. Throughout his life, Jonathan was passionate about and committed to exposing and addressing the many ills and injustices in the world, which he did through his indelible craft and crafted words. Sometimes expressing his empathy for marginalized, oppressed and mistreated peoples alienated others, but his messages always reflected genuine compassion and, most importantly, his unwavering values. Born into a world of chaos, Jonathan’s impassioned spirit was tested many times, as he experienced a multitude of serious physical and mental health issues throughout his life, as well as numerous tragedies and hardships. But he never stopped fighting until the very end, vowing to walk once again as he lay bed-ridden after the most recent and final trauma to his body, like he did following his stroke years ago — defying the doctors who insisted he would never walk again. He similarly proved the doctors wrong when they said he might never use his hand again, as he continued to draw and write on his computer up until his body betrayed him one last time and he was hospitalized a month before his passing. When Jonathan was discharged from the hospital a week later, we held out hope that he would once again resume his lifelong fight for peace and justice but, sadly, that was not to be. We hope Jonathan has finally found a kind of peace that had eluded him in this realm. Those who wish to commemorate the life and life’s work of someone who touched and inspired so many people may do so with Jonathan’s family and friends at 45 Brunswick Ave, in Toronto, on Thursday, August 15th, from 7pm-9pm. In honour of the "angels" at Kensington Gardens — which is what Jonathan called the staff who took care of him in his declining years — the memorial is being held there. In lieu of flowers, anyone so inclined to honour Jonathan's memory can do so by donating to Kensington Gardens: https://www.kensingtonhealth.org/donate.