George Gordon Hepburn

After a full, rich and rewarding 86 years, Gordon Hepburn passed away at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto on the 4th of June, 2011, soon after a diagnosis of metastatic pancreatic cancer. Born in the shadow of Benachie outside Inverurie, Scotland, Gordon travelled the world extensively, first with the Royal Marines during the Second World War and later during a lifelong career in the travel industry. An education from the Dundee School of Economics was followed by the establishment of his own company, Edenvale Travel, in the north of England. Emigrating to Canada in 1981, Gordon assumed the position of President for Thomas Cook Travel. He will be fondly remembered by his many friends and colleagues in the travel industry worldwide. The love of his life was his wife Lillian, who passed away after battling cancer in 1999. He is survived by four devoted children, Stuart, Joan (David), Lisa and Craig (Charlotte), four grandchildren (Lynda, Marie, Oliver and Giles), and three great-grandchildren (Joseph, Samuel and Finley). His loves outside of family included Burns poetry, which many experienced during his recital of Immortal Memories in Red Square, Moscow, at The Old Mill and the Granite Club, Toronto, and anywhere else those who appreciated the Bard would gather. An avid golfer, he was a member of the Summit Golf Club in Richmond Hill, Ontario for 28 years, where his humour and wit will be sadly missed. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Scottish Studies Foundation and was deeply involved in the Heart and Stroke Foundation (Polo for Heart) serving as joint-President for one year with his late wife Lillian. A memorial service celebrating his life will take place at the Granite Club, 2350 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, on Thursday, June 16th, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. A reception will follow, until 9:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Cancer Society or the Salvation Army would be greatly appreciated. His mischievous smile, generous heart, sense of fun and good humour will be missed by all. (Insider trading tip - if you have any whisky shares, sell immediately!)