PATRICK MURPHY, managing director of Bristol based Thornton's Travel Service, has died, aged 65, of heart failure.
He was an active member of the Guild of Travel Management Companies (GTMC), having been the representative for Thornton's Travel for many years.
Anne Godfrey, the GTMC's CEO, said he would be "sadly missed" by many at the guild. "Our thoughts and sympathy go out to Patrick's wife, Carol, and to the family," she said.
Patrick was also involved with Advantage Travel. John McEwan, the consortium's CEO, said: "Patrick was a longstanding and active supporter of Advantage and he also served as a director on the board."
Patrick, who was this year celebrating his 50th year in the travel industry, joined the family-run Thornton's Travel Service in 1967, and had been its managing director since 1979.