Red Seal Tours Founder, Douglas A.E. Hamer Passes Away

Doug was extremely well known in the travel Industry and was instrumental in the development of TICO. Heavily involved in ACTA, and several other boards, and could be considered one of the founders of the industry as we know it today.

His wife Hee, advised by email with the following: "Doug chose to go gracefully with medical assistance in dying. That gave him the control of when and how he wanted to go. He had two beers and listened to jazz songs "Blame It On The Blues" and "I believe in Miracles" He was joking right to the end and offered to kiss the Doctor, but he declined and said " Sorry it isn't professionally ethical to kiss" - that's him wanting to go with a laugh. He was at peace when he closed his eyes."

This is a sad day for me personally. I knew the day would come and had the chance to have one last chat with him just before Christmas. Doug was a great friend, a mentor, and someone I learned a great deal from. Perhaps most important of all being "work hard, play hard". He attended my wedding in 1990. He was there to celebrate when we bought our first house. During my six years of working for him as his Director of Product and Marketing at Red Seal Tours, we spent many days and nights traveling the world, drinking to the late hours, touring old record stores and no matter what the circumstances, we were on the road bright and early the following morning.

One particular globe-trotting adventure saw us driving from Paris to Zurich listening to countless hours of old Derek & Clive audio tapes. We even ended spending the evening at his Sisters house in Switzerland. To this day, it is one of the most memorable trips I have ever had in my career. My impersonation of him is somewhat legendary, (if I do say so myself) and from time to time I would debate with him as himself, only to let him see what I had to deal with.

He was an amazing guy who could sit down ams have several pints and then do 100km on his beloved bicycle the next day. His love for travel never left him, as he spent much of his retirement years traveling with his wife Hee. Doug sold Red Seal Tours several years ago and the business was transformed into what is now known as Sunwing Vacations.

He lived his life to the fullest, with laughter and without regret. He will be missed. Job well done Douglas Rest in peace.

DOUGLAS A. E. HAMER August 4, 1938 - February 23, 2018 (written in advance by himself)

Doug passed away peacefully in White Rock, BC after a 5 year battle with cancer. Doug is survived by his loving spouse, Hee Kim, and his two sons Paul and Dominic. His happy smile and sense of humour will be sadly missed by his family, many relatives and friends.

Doug was born in London, England. After working in London for SAS and Swiss Air, he immigrated with his family to Toronto in 1968. He continued his career in the travel industry with Air Canada, Swiss Air, and CP Air before joining CTAL (known as Holiday House). He then owned and operated Red Seal Tours till he retired in 2001. He was a Past President, president in 1989, of the Toronto Skal Club and was a Skal member for 39 years. He was a board member of OTIC and TICO and also active in ACTA and SATO over the years.

After spending the whole year of 2004 travelling around the world, Hee and Doug moved to Victoria, BC then onto White Rock, BC. His many interests included travelling, cycling, golfing, watching soccer, listening to music, reading and socializing with colleagues and friends usually with a beer in his hand. Skal!