The Canadian travel industry has lost another popular figure, Bruce Slade, to cancer. The industry veteran, who spent the last 12 years as a business development manager at Huntington Travel in Toronto, died on Dec. 27 after a short and sudden illness. He was 62.

Immediately recognized for his signature hats – “awesome hats” –ponytail, and big, black-rimmed glasses, the Sydney, Nova Scotia, native was well-known during a 30-plus-year career that included two decades at Intair before he landed at Huntington.

Huntington founder Kiran Budhdev said Bruce “loved the business” and insisted on helping clients until the very end. He had been in contact with about 1,000 agents during the pandemic – just to help!

Budhdev says he knew he made the right choice hiring Bruce in June 2009, when, two weeks later at an ACTA golf tournament he saw him surrounded by about 15 agents. He noted that Bruce didn’t golf but had attended the event anyways – a habit he maintained during his 30-plus years in the business.

“I’d tell him, Bruce, you don’t have to go (to an event), but he loved it. He enjoyed being with people. He was a nice guy, and everybody knew him!”

Bruce’s friend Nancy Drolet told Travel Industry Today, “I feel so sad about his passing… shocking really. He was a kind man, a true professional who loved the travel industry. He was always so helpful – always got back to you promptly… Did he sleep? Nothing was ever too much trouble. This is another terrible loss to our industry.”

At Bruce’s request, no memorial service will be held.