Clinton Jonathan Francis Danby
Clinton Jonathan Francis Danby – Jono, as he was known to everyone – died on January 26 at the age of 35.
Born November 9, 1981 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Jono moved with his mother and sister to Durban, South Africa when he was two and a half years old. He grew up in Johannesburg, matriculating in 1999 from Parktown High School for Boys and subsequently studying Advertising and Graphic Design at Vega College. Jono loved his guitar and singing, performing regularly at various clubs in Jo’burg. In 2002, he won joint first prize in an international Sound of Design competition, with his composition “Nyatiti Loop.” The day after receiving the award in Hanover, Germany, Jono had a major epileptic fit and woke up in the city’s neurological hospital to be told he had a brain tumor.
And so, a new journey began. After surgery in South Africa he went to Salamanca to learn Spanish, then traveled from Johannesburg to Medan, Indonesia to teach English. The next stop was Guadalajara, working at the Instituto de Comunicacion Internacional de Mexico.
“Me encanta México” was Jono’s constant refrain – and he was convinced the girls of this country were the most beautiful in the world. He became a permanent resident of Mexico, loving the people and the many places he explored.
He tried his hand as an entrepreneur, partnering with a close friend in Doggo Mobile and selling hot dogs at rock concerts – initially successfully! He then navigated the ins and outs of exporting tequila to South Africa.
Described by friends, colleagues and students alike as patient, wise, funny and inspirational, Jono lived with his chronic condition until his death.
Despite his deteriorating health and cruel loss of mobility and language, Jono lived life to the full, writing and publishing an autobiographical account of his experience of living with a brain tumor. His humor, courage and determination to enjoy the moment was an inspiration to all. Guerrero!
Jonathan’s book, “Life with Stanley,” is available through Amazon. He is survived by his parents and sister.
In October 2016, the Guadalajara Reporter published an article about Danby’s book and how this courageous young man was dealing with his illness. To read the article, go to theguadalajarareporter.net and type “Danby” into the search tool.