John Halls, of Markham, Ontario, passed away in his 62nd year of frontotemporal dementia at Humber River Hospital, Toronto.
John was born on December 7, 1963, at Peel Memorial Hospital, in Brampton, Ontario to the late James and Dorothy Halls. He established his reputation as a “fighter” at birth, when as a newborn, he was rushed to The Hospital for Sick Children with Rh Incompatibility, a sometimes-fatal illness. After his treatment, John thrived and developed into a highly intelligent, happy and loving child. He excelled at school, was popular, and developed an incredible sense of humour at a very young age. One of five children, John was a loyal, loving, dependable brother and son.
John was fascinated with trivia, elephants, whales, dogs, sports cars and military history. He joined the Lorne Scots (Dufferin, Peel and Halton Regiment) and attained the rank of Corporal. John attended Sheridan College and earned a diploma in Law and Security Administration. He left the reserve army to devote his full attention to his studies at The University of Toronto, where he earned an Honours Bachelors’ Degree with a double major in Political Science and Canadian Military History.
He began his professional life working for major insurance companies including Confederation Life and Manulife, before moving on to a lucrative career in private benefit consulting.
Throughout his life, he treasured his relationships with his family and was devoted to his mother. After her untimely death in 1995, John entered a troubled time in his life, and while recovering from the loss of his mother and subsequent loss of his father 4 months later, he met Barbara Baxter, his future wife. They were married in 1998. John loved his new Baxter family, referring to his wife’s parents Mory and Gerre as “Dad and Mom”.
Approximately 10 years ago, John was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, a form of early onset dementia with no long-term treatment or cure. This marked a tragic decline in John’s health, with treatment at various hospitals, institutions, and care facilities. John passed away on Sunday, November 23.
John is survived by his wife Barbara Baxter, his sister Kimberley Reis, his brothers Michael and James Halls, and by his Nephew Richard Whitney (Elsa Hernandez), his Niece Rebecca Whitney (Drew O’Brien), his Niece Rachel Whitney, his Nephew Anthony Reis, his great Nephew Lucas and great Niece Lilly. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Bob Baxter (Lilian), His brother-in-law Maurell Baxter Jr. (Silvia Castellarin), his Nieces Krista Baxter (Erik Holmberg), Annie Brandner (Paul), great Nieces Liia and Stella, and great Nephews Miles and Emerson.
The families wish to offer special thanks to Lilian Baxter and Kim Reis, who with his wife Barbara were John’s Powers of Attorney and helped to provide invaluable, loving and compassionate management of John’s care throughout his illness. We are indebted to you for your dedication to John and his care in often trying, even heartbreaking circumstances.
If you would like to honour John’s memory through a gift, a donation can be made to Alzheimer’s Society, or Baycrest Foundation.
John is in the care of Meadowvale Funeral Centre, 7732 Mavis Rd, Brampton. A celebration of life for family and close friends will take place on Monday, December 1, 2025 with a public gathering at 10:00, service at 10:30, internment in his family plot at Meadowvale Cemetery, followed by food and refreshments in the Funeral Centre’s reception facility.