TORONTO — Patrick Dineen, Travelweekʻs editor for more than 25 years and a colleague and friend to many, many people in the Canadian travel industry, has died. He was 80 years old.
Pat was one-of-a-kind, and much loved and appreciated by the Travelweek team during his tenure as editor and beyond.
Pat joined Travelweek in 1988 after close to two decades at a competing travel industry publication owned by Maclean Hunter. At Travelweek, Pat covered everything from the airline commission cuts and caps, to the arrival of the Internet and OTAs, to 9/11, low-cost carriers, tour operator consolidation and more. He wrapped up his career in 2015.
As Pat shared in 2023, as part of an editors’ roundup when Travelweek was celebrating its 50th anniversary, “Travelweek’s greatest strength was respecting our readers and looking at every story through the lens of what does this mean for a travel agent in Toronto or Flin Flon or Halifax or Kelowna.”
During his travel industry career Pat had a front row seat for the evolution of travel advisors, from the heyday of the 1970s, to the 1990s when the future of the traditional bricks-and-mortar retail travel industry was looking uncertain, to the ʻreturn of the travel agentʻ (in the words of the consumer media) in the 21st century. “Rather than becoming irrelevant, travel advisors are more valuable than ever,” he said.
A FAN OF OPERA, SUMO AND A GOOD PINT OF BEER
Along with his in-depth knowledge of the travel industry, and his incredible recall of the industryʻs milestones, scandals and more, Pat was an expert on everything from sumo wrestling to soccer, beer and wine, opera, art and history, skiing and running.
Many industry friends enjoyed a pint of beer (or two) with Pat at pubs in Toronto and around the world, talking travel, soccer, marathons and more.
On these occasions Pat was often joined by his close friend Paul Vickers, Travelweek’s co-founder and first publisher. Paul passed away in 2006.
Blessed with decades of travel, on press trips as well as vacations, Pat’s favourite getaways included his ʻSports & Cultureʻ trips to Europe with family members including his sons Michael and Eric.
In the high-flying days of travel opportunities, and a true sports fan, Pat once flew to Australia for a game, then got back on the plane for the return journey. He was in the air for longer than he was on the ground.
“WE WILL MISS YOU”
The oldest of 7 children, Pat was studying for high school exams when his youngest sibling was born.
After graduating from McMaster University, he worked at The Globe & Mail for three years before getting the travel bug and taking off for a year “to travel literally around the world,” as he put it. He landed at Maclean Hunter in 1970 and launched his travel industry career, joining Travelweek 18 years later.
“Pat was a true friend, mentor and colleague to all of us at Travelweek,” said The Travelweek Group’s chairman, Gerry Kinasz. “Pat was instrumental in guiding Travelweek’s evolution from the days of ‘The Blue Rag’, taking Travelweek to new heights. He repeatedly reminded us all that our actual clients were Canada’s travel agents. This, I believe, is the true core of Travelweek’s continued success. Although Travelweek has transitioned into the 21st century, Pat’s legacy remains. We will miss you Pat.”
Annie Cicvaric, Travelweek’s VP Media & Content Strategy, said she remembers Pat “not only as a gifted writer but also as an athlete. He was a marathoner and ran the prestigious Boston Marathon, among other races. He told me how Travelweek built a shower in the offices for him so he could do his afternoon runs, shower and get back to work for the afternoon. He also helped inspire me with my own running journey. Pat was totally unassuming and full of surprises. He will be missed.”
Travelweek BDM Sue Winiecki said Pat “knew the industry inside and out, and everyone in travel knew and respected him. He loved to talk to me about Harry Redknapp, a former football manager and player who lived in my hometown in the UK.”
Travelweek’s Marie Mercado, part of the admin team, remembered Pat as a kind person “who made a lasting impact on everyone who worked with him and will always be remembered. My condolences to his family and loved ones.”
Travelweek’s editorial team wouldn’t be what it is today without Pat. “He was a natural leader and an excellent teacher, but without fuss or pretension. He always led by example,” said Travelweek’s current editor, Kathryn Folliott, who joined the company in 1995. “Everything I learned about the travel industry, I learned from Pat. He was a great writer and editor. He was also a mentor and a friend.”
Pat had a great sense of humour and found ways to connect with people with a bit of teasing – always in good fun. In the words of Travelweek’s deputy editor, Cindy Sosroutomo: “Pat gave me my start in this industry and I will forever be grateful. He always made fun of my Uggs and detested (but secretly loved) our weekly Bachelor recaps in the office. He walked every day to and from the office from Yonge and Eglinton and actually enjoyed it. I also suspect he had a photographic memory – you really had to be sharp when talking to him! He was super kind, funny and generous, and probably the smartest human I’ve ever met or will ever meet. Thank you, Pat, for all of it.”
Travelweek’s publisher Devin Kinasz summed it up: “Pat was an incredible presence at Travelweek.”
DEEPEST CONDOLENCES FROM THE TRAVELWEEK TEAM
While family, friends, colleagues and co-workers are very much saddened by Pat’s passing, there’s comfort knowing he had a life well-lived with a bit of luck with his health over the decades.
In 2002, at the age of 57, Pat was waiting to be seated for dinner at an uptown Toronto restaurant when he collapsed with sudden cardiac arrest. It just so happened that there was a doctor in line behind him, and there was also an ambulance in the neighbourhood. The doctor’s quick actions and the serendipity of the nearby ambulance saved his life. He also underwent an emergency triple bypass at 70. There was a history of heart disease in the family and Pat marvelled that he’d made it to 80.
After some episodes of declining health and hospital visits, Pat’s sons secured a spot for him at a complex care hospital. He passed away in the early hours of Aug. 26 from cardiac arrest.
Any plans for a service will be reported in Travelweek Daily. The entire Travelweek team extends its deepest condolences to Michael and Eric and Pat’s siblings and extended family.
