Former ABTA president John Harding has died, aged 72.
Harding, who was due to be married at the end of next month, was in remission after treatment for Leukemia but is believed to have died from other underlying health issues.
He had retired from the industry and was living partly in Suffolk and partly in the Limoges in France, where he ran a boutique gite business.
His travel industry friends and colleagues have been invited to his funeral, which will be held at 2pm on February 10 at the Three Counties crematorium, Braintree, Essex.
The wake will be held at the Green Man, Lindsell, Essex, after 3pm.
According to his family, he had talked of wanting a ‘big send-off’.
ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer said the association had heard the news of his passing ‘with deep regret’.
"John was passionate about the travel industry, particularly championing the interests of the independent sector," he said.
"Over the years John worked on various ABTA committees and the Board, before finally being elected as president when serving as a director at city break specialist Travelscene.
"John will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him, both professionally and personally."
Harding’s fiance, Christine Cox, has extended the invitation to all who want to pay their respects and has asked for prior indication of potential attendees by February 5, if possible, at [email protected]
Rather than flowers the family has suggested a donation to Cancer Research to be collected by G.W Hardy and Sons, 36 Nether Gate St, Clare, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 8NP. Telephone: 01787277418.
