Celebrating Gerry

Heiffetz

A celebration of the life of Gerald (Gerry) Heifetz (June 24, 1930 – March 4, 2014) will be held on April 12 at noon at the Mount Pleasant Visitation Centre (375 Mount Pleasant Road East gate entrance) in Toronto.

Heifetz passed peacefully into rest in his 83rd year following a long illness. 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. Gerry possessed tremendous energy, charisma, intelligence, humour and a big heart.

As senior partner in his law firm Heifetz, Crozier, Law, he was instrumental in the founding of the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA), the Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors (CITC) as well as, internationally, the International Forum of Travel and Tourism Advocates (IFTTA). Along the way, he 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 (predeceased). He is survived by his loving wife Billey (nee Torkelson) and loving daughter Laura. Gerry 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.

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