Peterborough business owner Jonathan Hall has died

Jonathan Hall, a well-known member of Peterborough’s business and music scenes, has died.

Terry Guiel, executive director of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area, says he got a call this morning informing him that Hall had suffered a fatal heart attack Friday night.

The two worked closely together in organizing Peterborough’s popular music street festival The Hootenanny on Hunter Street. Hall, a DJ, is credited with founding the festival.

Hall, 44, was also a co-owner of Peterborough’s The Twisted Wheel, a bar that opened last May.

“He is such an important figure who was selfless and grateful and didn’t want the spotlight. He avoided a camera at any cost. I am at a loss for words; I am completely gutted. I lost a brother yesterday,” said Mike Judson, who co-owned The Twisted Wheel with Hall.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "He is such an important figure who was selfless and grateful and didn't want the spotlight. He avoided a camera at any cost. I am at a loss for words; I am completely gutted. I lost a brother yesterday," said Mike Judson, who co-owned The Twisted Wheel with Hall.

Judson said The Twisted Wheel will be open on Saturday night to remember Hall and what he meant to the city.

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“He’s done a lot for this place, and I’m going to open the bar tonight and open it up for whoever wants to come by and share a memory or two,” said Judson.

READ MORE: From vinyl to fashion, new Peterborough businesses are embracing the past

Hall also owned Nostalgic Journey, an antique shop, and was the former co-owner of the downtown pub Spanky’s.

Neil Morton, one of Hall’s friends, recalled visiting the antique shop earlier this month and receiving a tour of the business from Hall himself.

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“He was going out for this birthday that night and was in great spirits. I have never seen him so happy, so content,” wrote Morton on a Facebook post. “I took this picture of him there. Johnny hated being photographed — he is so damn humble — but for some reason he didn’t put up any resistance this time. It was this moment in time I’ll never forget. I love you, Johnny. Tell people you love them because you just never know when your time will come,” said Morton. 

Hall celebrated his 44th birthday on St. Patrick’s Day.

UPDATE:

A public visitation will take place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Twisted Wheel.