OBITUARY

Jonathan Joseph Halley

September 12, 2005 – January 25, 2026

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.

It looks like Christmas here in Northwestern Ontario. Our main office is in Kenora and us elves have been busy with decorating and keeping up with our downtown store and reservations. Ever wonder who answers the phone when you call to check availability, book a trip or answer any questions you might have?

Staff Christmas party

Lots of our summer staff from the Kenora and surrounding area enjoyed our bowling party-lots of food and laughs. This by far was one of our most fun Christmas events!! Here are a couple quick pictures! We had Chris, Amber, Jonny, Reagan, Shawn, Lisa, Mike, Jaylynn, Gene, Wanda, Junior, Gunner, Stan, Todd, Ben, Kerry and their plus ones/significant others.

Louis and Lizzie missed our Christmas party as they were trying to get here driving from Edmonton, Alberta but the snowstorms added another 5-6 hours on their trip. Louis has passed his commercial pilot written test, and he is working on completing flying hours before he can take his commercial pilot flight test. We hope the weather holds out for him in January!

Brrrrr

If this picture below could talk it would tell you it was frigid out! -30C which is about -22F which either way is cold! Jonny and Louis were headed up north to lay a track on the lakes before hauling firewood with sleighs as with all the snow we’ve had it has made slush on top of the lakes. The slush can really get people on snowmobiles stuck especially with sleighs that are heavy that can get bogged down. The sleigh can start digging into the slush and eventually the snowmobile can pull the sleigh although it can barely move and then becomes stuck in the slush (there is a lot of ice below it but the weight of the snow forms cracks and water comes up through the cracks in the ice creating slush).

If you don’t know what to get your fisherman for Christmas, call us and you can purchase a gift certificate that they can use on towards their fishing/hunting trip, souvenirs or more! Halley’s Camps gift certificates will be available only until Dec 23, 2025 at 3pm!

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Chris, Amber, Louis, Jonny, Reagan, Lisa and Shawn

The weather is changing and it is getting cold! We have had workers up and down the river using the barge hauling equipment. We are in preparation mode before the ice comes so winter projects can be started once we have lots of ice in January.

One of the workers who was staying at One Man Lake Lodge took this photo of the northern lights. November is a great month to see the lights change every color that dance across the night skies.

We are updating our website a lot and if you have any more photos that you would like to share of your 2025 trip, please email them to [email protected] and remember to put your name and location that you stayed at!

DID YOU KNOW???

Halley’s Camps is turning 80 in 2026!! 80 years=8 decades=13 Canadian Prime Ministers=14 U.S. Presidents, countless numbers of fish caught, and billions of stars seen!

Chris’s grandparents, Louie and Yvonne started Halley’s Camps in 1946 (some information stated 1945). Chris’s parents, Gene and Wanda, were 2nd generation with Uncle George and Auntie Sharon, and now Chris and Amber are 3rd generation owners. The 4th generation is coming about and we hope to keep continuing on Halley’s Camps for generations to come.

If anyone has any old photos of any of your trips that could contribute to a memoir book of Halley’s Camps-this could be of the old buildings/boats, fishing groups, stories, anything that truly pertains to Halley’s Camps history, please EMAIL us your stories, information and PHOTOS!! We would love to have some of these books on display for our upcoming fishing season!

You can always check out our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/fishincamps/

Our last guests of our season in 2025 stayed with us in October for our moose hunts.

We had some excellent moose hunts this month. We had 2 of our moose hunts going on and on Mike’s group, our unguided group, had successfully taken one moose. There were some very windy conditions but were still able to move around and get their opportunity! Congrats to them!!

Our other group of guided moose hunts were very successful-3 out of the 4 hunters got their bull moose! Gene and Mike were their guides for this hunt and Luca was also assisting with the hunt as well. Many of the Kettle Falls guests from this summer would recognize Mike and Luca and what an exciting way to finish the year!! And Gene-well most of you all know Gene-which then you will know that he loves going out guiding for moose hunters in the bush! The hunters were all extremely happy!

Chris, Jonny, Gene, Lisa, Mike and others went out moose hunting personally and Lisa shot her bull!

Canadian Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving was on October 13, over a month earlier than that of the American Thanksgiving. We try and take the time to be thankful for our family which is always our #1 and our guests/fishermen who choose us as their fishing destination. And huge shout out to all of our staff for all their hard work and hands on creating fantastic fishing opportunities for all! This is a group of Kettle Falls staff as they are heading out for the season after working for 4 months at the lodge-fishing guides, bartender, photographer, retail sales, manager, and lodge maintenance-they all come together to work and it was great having them. There are so many other staff that deserve a shout out as well and we appreciate everyone of them!

September was filled with some great fishing days, and the weather really cooperated for the most part. We had some really warm days! We almost should’ve called this newsletter “September Leg Days” because so many people were rocking shorts well into the month. Talk about fall feeling a little more like summer!

As for the fishing, the quality of the fish this month was absolutely superb. Whether anglers were jigging or trolling, the walleyes, bass, and pike were really biting. The bite was strong and steady, showing just how active fish get as the season shifts. It was an amazing time on the water for everyone fishing!

Caribou Falls Landing

Caribou Falls Landing saw lots of fishermen this month. Lots and lots of familiar faces which we love to see! The kids are back in school, but the fish are always in school-haha! It was a fun month! We had a few groups that range back 30-40 years with Halley’s Camps-that’s a long time! We had Tom’s family group and friends come up and fish their traditional fishing trip at Caribou Falls Landing. Their group is always full of fun camaraderie but a saddened that their dad couldn’t make the trip this year.

September this year seemed to have more corporate groups getting their fishing in before summer ends-and the fishing did not disappoint. The biggest smallmouth was 19.5″, the pike was 40″, and the walleye was 29″ caught from guests staying at the landing. One of our new groups at Dufault’s Island loved the new cabin and the fishing-they were adventurous too-went in almost every direction trying new waters and had fabulous fishing.

Here is a picture of some fishing boats going out for the day from Caribou Falls Landing.

September hunting report for Jim!

September was a month full of action at our camp – not just with fishermen, but also with hunters! One special hunter took on a combined adventure: first, a bear hunt at Caribou Falls Landing, followed by a moose hunt at one of our remote tent camps 150 miles north. This is one of our most secluded moose hunt locations, offering plenty of wilderness and serenity. We’re thrilled to share that Jim had an amazing trip, bagging a bear early on and then capping it off with a bull moose on the final day of his hunt. Talk about a happy hunter!

Kettle Falls Lodge

The fishing was stellar this month!! We had many return customers and some new fishermen as well. Everyone was hooking into the fish this month!  Mic and his nephew fished with us again this year and look at their photos!! The fishing was amazing! The fall colors on the river were so beautiful with the orange and bright yellow leaves. Here are some true testimonials from customers about their stay at Kettle Falls Lodge this month:

From our guest Mike that stayed with us in September:

Fathers day 2025 I gifted my son in-law Colton a fishing adventure at Halley’s Camp. I waited a long time to have an epic fly-in fishing trip. From the moment we arrived at the dock the staff was amazing, really friendly and accommodating. At 2:30pm the adventure started we jumped on the float plane and we were on our way to Kettle Falls Lodge. As soon as we arrived the staff was ready and everything was taken care of with smiles as they showed us around. Our cabin was really nice with all the amenities you would want. We walked down to the dock and I tossed a line in and immediately hooked a 20″ pike. I knew right then we were in for a great trip. The fishing was the best fresh water fishing I have ever had in my life. One monster fish after another as the days went on. Our guide Joe was always putting us on the fish and he truly loved what he was doing. Shoreline lunches with fresh caught fish and all the sides you could eat. My son Colton caught the biggest fish of the trip 45.5″ Northern Pike, amazing effort on a 5′ Ugly Stick rod. We loved every minute of this trip from the staff, food, equipment, lodgings and the fishing it was all amazing!! We had Northern Lights on our last night just to make it all complete, many thanks to the staff of Halley’s you were fantastic, we are already planning our next trip!

Cheers, Michael & Colton

Another Happy Group at Kettle Falls wrote and sent pictures:

Subject: Thank You for an Unforgettable Experience at Halley’s Camps

Dear Lisa (manager) and Team,

We wanted to extend our heartfelt gratitude for making our trip to Haley’s Camp in Kettle Falls an incredibly memorable experience. Your hospitality and the outstanding accommodations surpassed our expectations.

Lisa, you and your staff were simply amazing. Your attention to detail and warm, welcoming attitude made us feel right at home. The fishing was phenomenal—we were thrilled to catch nine trophy fish during our stay, which truly made the trip unforgettable.

Attached are some of the highlights from our adventure. We hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoyed creating these memories.

I cannot forget to mention the great job JR our guide did for us. A true professional in his field and a credit to Kettle Falls.

Thank you once again for the amazing experience.

Bob, Charles, and Mark

Halley’s Outposts-TRM is the abbreviation as we call it-Trapline Lake Outpost, Rex Lake Outpost and Moosehorn Lake Outpost

Trapline Lake welcomed the Davis group-some of the guys have been coming to Halley’s Camps for quite a few trips. I laugh as I had to take a picture of their tackle box when we were at Trapline dropping off ice and supplies. Here is one of their tackle boxes-notice it is not used for spices-pretty clever!

The Davis group has lots of fishing spots up their sleeves from many, many moons of fishing Trapline and their fishing was incredible. Walleye, trout, and northern pike!! Check out Jeff’s fishing photos:

Aside from the fishing, one of the highlights of the trip was the stunning aurora borealis. The northern skies were ablaze and would dance across the sky with vibrant green, yellow oranges, purples, and pinks, creating a breathtaking backdrop as the group gathered by the lake each evening.

An Epic Journey to the North – A Long-Awaited Fishing Adventure

This September, we had the distinct pleasure of welcoming a special group of guests to Trapline Lake Outpost, a group of 11 family and friends who had been waiting since 2020 for their long-awaited fishing adventure in the north. Their patience, built on 5 years of anticipation, truly paid off as they arrived in the beauty of northern Ontario to find fish the world-class fishing that Halley’s Camps Trapline Lake Outpost is known for.

The group was in for an unforgettable time. The waters of Trapline Lake are teeming with big walleyes and northern pike, and it didn’t take long for the guests to start reeling in some incredible catches. Whether it was the sheer joy of fishing together, the thrill of reeling in a big walleye or pike, or simply soaking in the peacefulness of the wilderness, this was an experience none of them would soon forget. We feel privileged to have been a part of their long-awaited adventure, and we’re looking forward to welcoming them back in the future.

 Rex Lake

Our very seasoned moose hunting group, Mike and the boys, were off to hunt the end of September! Their gear ready, groceries packed, their bow and arrows aligned, we wish them luck at getting some moose! Stay tuned in the October newsletter for their moose hunting results!!

We want to see your photos!

We’ve been receiving some amazing fishing photos from many of you. We know how much everyone loves seeing photos in the newsletters, and we’re thrilled to showcase them. Some of you have sent in pictures even after the newsletters have gone out, and we’re so grateful for that. We appreciate your patience, as sometimes life gets busy for everyone and we want to include as many photos as we can from each month of fishing at each lodge/outpost camp, and it may take a little longer than expected to get photos and everything together. Please keep sending in your photos – we love seeing your fishing adventures through your eyes! When you send them, don’t forget to include the month, the lodging location, and the group you were fishing with. These little details help us tell your story and share the joy of your experience with the rest of the community.

Thank you again for being a part of our unforgettable season!