It is with great sadness that we share with you the peaceful passing of Ronald Herbert Harding on February 28, 2022, at the age of 84 at Collingwood Hospital after a life altering accident. Ron was surrounded by his loved ones who will continue to honour his legacy by living life with love.
Beloved son of the late Herbert and Lilian Harding (Clark), late sister Bethany-Joyce, uncle to Simone Johnson (England) and great uncle to Sam and Joe Johnson. Cherished partner of Fran Kartechner, bonus father to Shari Richardson (Kartechner) of Meaford and William Kartechner of DR. Ron was adored and highly respected by a myriad of close life-long friends.
Known in the industry as a travel legend and credited with shaping the early booming days of Sunquest Ron was the Pied Piper of the travel industry, who worked on the premise “if you build it they will come”, and did they ever! In 1966 Ron started Great Places, the first company to fly charters with Wardair offering destinations brand new for Canadians, with packages to Austria, Aspen, St Lucia, and San Juan. Ron was always a visionary with the natural ability to market to individuals, an example being ‘Ski Movie Nights’ at the Austrian Club in Toronto which was the impetus for filling airplanes of skiers for years.
In 1973 Patrick Brigham lured Ron to Sunquest Vacations and with such solid infrastructure backing him Ron was free to live his imagination marketing the WORLD. There was simply no destination that Ron didn’t conquer and have a ball doing so. His Pied Piper days had begun, but now included the hundreds of Sunquesters and people in the industry who happily followed and supported Ron. His apartment was featured in Toronto Life, his warehouse at 212 Adelaide St West opening onto a roof, and there just wasn’t anything like it anywhere at the time. He was the “guy” past and present as close to a hundred friends and colleagues who revered him, dating back to the 60’s celebrated his 80th birthday. That kind of love and respect doesn’t grow on trees.
Love and respect are what Ron gave and received by everyone he encountered during his lifetime. As tribute to Ron please try to find a way to help someone have a great day. Coinciding with his love of animal’s contributions to local animal shelters would have pleased him
Family gathering and celebration of life to take place in the spring.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ronald Harding Monday February 28th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Collingwood, Province: Ontario