JOHN WILKINS
John Wilkins died peacefully at Michael Garron Hospital on March 26, 2021 after suffering a
massive stroke the week prior, during a snooze on the couch. Anyone who knew him knew this
is the way he wanted to go!
His 70 years of life were full. He was born in Edmonton, London, UK and began working in a
hotel at age 16. After a brief stint running catering gigs, including garden parties at “Buck
House,” he moved into management and soon became an area manager for EMI Records
restaurants, managing 14 restaurants in central London. At age 27, he and his wife moved to
Toronto and opened Peppercorns at Sheppard and Yonge. Later, he and partners opened the
Victoria & Albert Pub, Maxwells Mix, and the Spruce Goose Brew Pub. John felt best when he
was working, productive, and had a reason to get up in the morning. He was confident,
competitive, fiercely independent, liked to take risks, and never grew tired of bargaining for a
cheaper price.
In his 40’s, he moved from North York further south, eventually settling near the Danforth,
where he switched to consulting and then the construction side of the restaurant industry. John
became a familiar face at the pubs and restaurants in Greektown, this time as a customer.
John never took life too seriously but did consider himself “cool” in his own ‘open-shirt-hairy-
chested’ kind of way. John also never missed an opportunity to be outrageous, especially at
weddings and birthdays where his friends and family knew to expect he might take off his shirt,
bring gaudy gifts, or contribute a precious bottle of Asti Spumante. This was part of his British
humour and dry wit, most often channelling Fawlty Towers or Mr. Bean. John was also an
excellent cook, happy to cook for others anytime. At holidays, this often led to him cooking for
15+, at their house, using every pot and pan in the kitchen.
John Wilkins was a provider, a protector, and a fighter. He is survived by his two daughters,
Emma and Tess, whom he loved deeply and was very proud of.
There will be no memorial service. To mark his passing, we know Dad would be touched if you
would raise a glass in his honour and cherish all the fond and funny memories of him.
Chris DeVos
I very sorry to hear this terrible news. We will miss John at Darts!
Agnes Matlebjane-Green
My deepest condolences Emma. I am grateful you made sure I met your dad when I came to Canada for the first time. He was welcoming and loving. You, Tessa and family are in my thoughts and prayers. Sending you love and light and of course raising a glass❤️
Carol Ann MacKinnon
When I think of John I smile. He had a wicked sense of humor and loved to laugh. It was contageous. It’s so sad to think he’s no longer here and I’m so sorry for the heartache this profound and sudden loss leaves with you.
Harvey Krahn
Ruth and I only met John twice, at Emma’s wedding, and a year later,
and Emma’s and Thais’s first anniversary. The first time, he was on
his good behaviour, and the second time he loosened up. After the
second meeting, I told him we should get together again. We never
had that opportunity. I truly wish we had. Harvey (and Ruth)
Meriel Cox
So sorry of your loss, Emma and Tess. I hadn’t seen John for many years, but the sudden loss of a loved one is always a shock. You are in our thoughts. ❤️
Paul Meehan
So sorry to hear this news. John was a lovely man. He was my first boss ever, and his kind and trusting approach is something I’ve tried to express my whole career. My condolences to the family and all who knew and loved him.
Paul Meehan
Micailah and Hugh
What a lovely sumary of John, I never met him but Hugh did and remembers his lovely sense of humour and big bushy moustache. Our thoughts are with Johns family and friends. Lots of love from Micailah and Hugh
John Yannetta
I will always remember and never forget the times with friends and family at the Frog, Maxwell’s and Spruce this is where John would welcome us all and I know we all will share these times Condolences Emma, Tess
Nicole Lehoczky
The fact that this is how he would have wanted to go, only slightly makes this profoundly sad news easier.
John was charming from the moment I met him 25+ years ago. I will be forever grateful for his sense of humour, wit, culinary skills, and kind heart, making a year of lock-down end on a very positive note.
My deepest condolences to Tess and Emma. He spoke of you both daily, with pride and love.
John, you are deeply missed…so very glad our paths crossed again. Hopefully, they will again one day.
Patricia Simcoe
John was my friend and I will miss him forever.
He was always up for a pint at The Edmund Burke or, as of late, a coffee on an outdoor bench by Carrot Common. I’m not sure I can ever again sit on that bench because I would be constantly looking across the street, expecting John to emerge from the Second Cup with his characteristic gait and a big smile for me, coffee in one hand and holding on to his bike with the other.
John was smart, kind, generous, a fearless man with strong opinions. That led to some pretty lively discussions. Heaven help any car salesman he ever dealt with! He had a ready laugh, and could always elicit a laugh from me with his Johnisms…….”I’m not that kind of guy!”
My sincere sympathies go out to Emma and Tess, he loved you both to the moon and back, worried about you both, and would have done anything for you. I hope going forward you are able to draw strength from the memory of his.
Raising a glass….love from Pat
Scott Hodgkins
My sincere condolences to you and your family.
John will be missed at darts. He was a long time member of our team and was always present for all of our weekly matches. He was a pleasure to be around and I had a lot of fun playing darts with him. I wish that we could have had the last year without covid so we could have spent more time with him.
John, you will be sadly missed and we’ll raised a glass in your honour once we’re all able to get together.
It was a great pleasure to have known you.
Michael
If John is ever invited to cook for God, all I have to say is that He better have a host of Angels to clean up afterwards. I know I will miss cleaning up after him.
Paul
I first met John on the squash courts when he was running the Spruce Goose. We had many competitive matches. We became good friends and developed a business relationship through real estate. Over the years we would meet on the Danforth for a pint ,a bite to eat and good conversation.
He will be missed. My condolences Tess & Emma, I know how much you will both miss your Dad.
I raise a glass to you John……
Paul Freer
Linda Plytas
Thinking of you Tess and Emma. We were very sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. We only knew him through school interviews and soccer games, but what was always clear was that he was a dedicated father and he always wanted the best for you.
Sincerely, Jim and Linda Plytas
Evangelos Pitsadiotis
John was well loved where he loved to play pool, Billiards Academy. We called the shirtless wonder, the academy wanker, and me pompous. I often made fun of him, and he was quick with a reply. He asked me one day, why do you pick on me, I sais, it’s because I like you John, he said alright then go f*** yourself. I told I can’t turn around fast enough. He quickly realized that if I was polite to yiuy, I didn’t like you, but the more I pick on you, the more you are a part of the inner circle.
Miss you
RIP Shirtless Wonder
Lorraine Healy
I met john years ago when he was opening the Spruce Goose at Yonge & Eglinton. It was such a joy working with John for five years. The day I was hired, was the day our friendship began. He was a straight up person. I loved his sense of humour, he had an infectious laugh. John always treated everyone one with so much respect. Most of all John was one of the greatest owners/boss/friends I’ve ever worked with. He became a mentor to me. He taught me so much about the restaurant/hospitality industry. Throughout the years our friendship continued. Always meeting up for a casual dinner and a glass of wine. If Baby Duck or Spumante Bambino was available. That’s what John would order.
Having John at our wedding meant the world to us. He was that extra spark of joy & laughter. A few weeks before Covid hit. Myself, John & and close friend of ours from the Spruce Goose days, Michelle Budd had a lovely dinner Together
on the Danforth. It was a 3 hour dinner of catching up, delicious food, great company & tons of laughs. We had a couple of bottles of sassy John Wilkins bubbly. We shared so many great times together. We will miss you so much John. Keep smiling, keep cooking, keep laughing. Emma & Tessa our deepest condolences to both of you. Your daddy will be greatly missed. The both of you were the loves of his life. He was one of a kind. A true gentleman & A kind soul. Sending love & hugs to both of you❤️❤️
Ali & Omar
We will always remember John’s awesome sense of humour and wit! We are grateful we got to share happy moments with him in the past couple of years. May his sou; rest in peace and may you find comfort in the beautiful memories you created with him.
Caroline Hathaway
For the short time I knew him, I have many memories of him and the character he was.
R. I. P.
Michael Hancock
I was so sorry to hear about John. Although having not seen him for years I can clearly hear his voice now and remember his dry wit. John helped us out tremendously at our brewpub on Victoria Street in the latter years and his skills were very much needed at the time. Tess, Emma and Nicky, thinking of you all.
Nicky
Thank you
Carole Sovran
I will so miss my monthly dinners with John and am very grateful that I got to see him just a week or so before it was too late. He was a tremendous support to me and I am so blessed to have met him. His joy was his girls and he loved his friends so loyally. He had to most interesting stories of his amazing life!
Catherine Martin
I met John several times on my visits to Toronto and always enjoyed his company. I’m glad that his departure was peaceful. He will be greatly missed.
(Carole Sovran’s sister)
Vince Badagliacca
I worked as a doorman at the Spruce Goose. John was always good to his employees. I am saddened to hear of his passing. My condolences to his family and friends. RIP sir John