Obituary: Editorial cartoonist Andy Donato remembered for his humour, political commentary and generosity

By MATTHEW STEPHENS

Local resident and beloved editorial cartoonist Andy Donato recently passed away at the age of 89.

The former Toronto Sun artist, famous for his political cartoons, died of a heart attack while golfing on Tuesday, Sept. 15, only 10 days after the publication of his final cartoon for the newspaper.

“Andy died from a freak accident while playing golf at the Toronto Hunt Club where he was a member for four decades,” his wife Dianne Jackson-Donato told Beach Metro Community News. “It gives me comfort to know he didn’t suffer, died of heart attack or stroke that caused him to fall and hit his head. He never regained consciousness. He was doing what he loved, in a place that he loved with friends that he loved.”

Born Andrea Antonio Donato in Scarborough on Jan. 13, 1937, he joined the Toronto Telegram newspaper as a graphic artist in 1961. The Telegram later evolved into the Toronto Sun in 1971.

Donato broke into the industry as a graphic artist in the Telegram’s promotion department and he would often fill in for the paper’s regular cartoonist Al Beaton. Donato would later become the Telegram’s art director.

His first political cartoon debuted in May 1964 during the Canadian flag debate to come up with a new and unique national flag.  By February of that same year, Donato had established a weekly comic feature for the Telegram titled Flunko, which ran until 1966 and was featured as a rerun in other prominent North American newspapers.

Donato was a key member of the Toronto Sun during its establishment and a pioneer of the paper’s image. He helped to establish the Sun’s visual identity with his rendering its first logo, front page, and overall appearance. He would later go on to help shape the appearance of other noteworthy newspapers acquired by the Sun Media Corporation.

Following fellow cartoonist Yardley Jones’ departure from the Sun in 1973, Donato would begin producing five cartoons a week and became the paper’s preeminent political cartoonist. He later also became the corporate art director for Sun Media.

Described by former colleague Jean Sonmor as “the embodiment of the Toronto Sun’s image,” reader surveys regularly highlighted Donato’s editorial cartoons near the top of its most-read features.

Donato’s illustrations became well known for a small bird hidden in his cartoons, which he first drew in a tree in the early 1980s for several weeks, and subsequently used in his final sendoff cartoon in September of this year. A Find Donato’s Bird contest in the paper received two million entries, according to the Sun.

Donato’s cartoons were also well known for his frequently caricatured Canadian and international political figures including Prime Ministers Brian Mulroney and Pierre Trudeau. Mulroney, whose prominent chin was emphasized in the cartoons, admired Donato’s work so much that he acquired several of them for display.

Donato was widely renowned in the world of cartoonists, serving as a founding member of the Canadian Cartoonist Club.

According to Bill Suddick, Beach Metro Community News’ editorial cartoonist and dear friend of Donato, the late cartoonist’s lasting influence on the community paved the way for other artists in the industry.

“Andy was a renowned and well-respected member of the Toronto cartooning community. He was a founding member of the Canadian Cartoonist Club which met at the Old Toronto Press Club, the hallowed hall of Toronto journalism, along with various pubs around the city, including The Ben Wicks (obviously),” said Suddick in a statement to Beach Metro Community News.

Suddick and Donato frequently met at several local Beach establishments (including the now closed Quigley’s at 2232 Queen St. E.), many of which were managed by John Izod, another Beach resident who was also a practicing artist/cartoonist and club member.

“Many cartoonists, and other students of comedy, seem to reside in our neighbourhood. Coincidence? I think not,” said Suddick as he reflected on memories shared with Donato.

“I recall the many, mostly friendly, jibes and hilarious repartee at these events. Mike Robbyns (another cartoonist) reminded me of one exchange. Andy’s paper, the Toronto Sun, had begun publishing editorial cartoons by a fellow named Anderson. He signed his cartoons ‘Andy.’,” said Suddick. “Jim Simpkins, east end resident and the mischievous creator of Jasper, an all-Canadian bear, asked Donato, ‘So, you’re signing your stuff ‘Andy’ now?’ Donato, shot back: ‘You still drawing Yogi the Bear?’”

Suddick said Donato was also generous with his time and the use of his cartoons to help out charities and organizations in need of support. Donato was heavily involved in many of the Canadian Cartoonist Club’s fundraising efforts including a calendar sponsored by CHFI Radio, and for the Scarborough General Hospital’s World’s Worst Art Auction which had club members put artwork on garbage bins and milk cans which were auctioned in support of the hospital.

Donato’s contribution to the hospital fundraiser was a milk can with a cartoon of former Prime Minister Joe Clark on it. Donato often drew cartoons of Clark wearing mittens attached to a string, and they are part of the milk jug he created for the auction.

“It wasn’t all pints and puns,” said Suddick. “Andy was a good man and a good friend. He and his succinct, honest, political commentary will be sorely missed.”

Donato is also fondly remembered and missed by his many friends and family members including five children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.