Jakob Howard English

On January 10th, 2025, Jakob Howard English of the city of Toronto, passed away at 65 years of age.

Jake was born and lived his entire life in Toronto. In his early teens, his residence was a boy’s group home off Broadview Avenue. He enrolled in college food preparation and safety courses and then had a long-time career with VIA Rail Canada under his birth name, Robert Holliday.

Jake was a proud supporter of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and, for many years, was a dedicated part of Toronto’s Leather community, holding the title of Mr. Spearhead Bootblack 2010. He then went on to win the city title of Bootblack Toronto 2011 among the largest field of contestants in the contest’s history. Jake’s chosen charity for the year was the 519 Church Street Community Centre, and he and his fellow titleholder family raised an impressive total of just over six thousand dollars.

Jake also placed first runner-up at the International Mr. Bootblack contest in Chicago. He was the recipient of the BBT Fellowship and the IMBB Brotherhood Award. He was also honoured with the Pantheon of Leather Canadian Award, the Heart of the Flag Federation Volunteer of the Year Award, and the Spearhead Appreciation Award.

During Jake’s title years and throughout his life, Jake worked to ensure equal rights for those of different sexual genders and identities. Over several decades, he volunteered with several not-for-profit organizations, such as the Toronto PWA Foundation, Heart of the Flag Federation Inc., and the 519 Community Centre.

Jake was greatly loved and will be deeply missed by his many chosen family members, both from his childhood and from the United States. Jake was also an avid animal lover and had several cats and dogs, including his beloved binky, Paddington(s), Rock, Jessie, and Tess. Jake will be remembered for his kindness, humility, loyalty, generosity, love, and open heart.

Jake is predeceased by his two partners, Jack Finlayson and David Bzdel, and survived by former partners Peter Lomax and Jack Pearce and the rest of his loving family of choice.

“Love will abide; keep it in stride” – Linda Ronstadt

Rest in peace with all our gratitude and love.

Memorial donations may be made to Jake’s chosen community agencies: the 519 Community Centre, Toronto PWA, and Casey House.