Remembering Gerald Heifetz

Take a minute today and remember Gerald Heifetz.

On March 4, after a long illness, Heifetz passed peacefully in his 84th year.

He was respected by many, from some of the movers and shakers who built Toronto (where he was a life-long resident) to travel agents, business people and the countless struggling immigrants he helped through his law practice.

Heifetz possessed tremendous energy, charisma, humour and a big heart. As senior partner in his law firm Heifetz, Crozier, Law, he was instrumental in the foundation of the Association of Canadian Travel Agents (ACTA), the Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors (CITC) as well as, internationally, the International Forum of Travel and Tourism Advocates (IFTTA).

Along the way, Gerry (as he was best known) helped to establish many of the laws that today govern the Canadian travel and airline industry.

Beloved son of Solomon and Sarah (nee Newman) Heifetz, and brother of Murray (pre-deceased) he is survived by his loving wife Billey (nee Torkelson) and loving daughter Laura. He will be cherished by his family members (including his nephew Jimmy, niece Dara), many friends and the hundreds of people he touched throughout his remarkable life.

A Celebration of Gerry’s Life will be held at noon on April 12 at the Mount Pleasant Visitation Centre (375 Mount Pleasant Rd. East gate entrance).

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada — http://www.alzheimer.ca — would be appreciated by the family.