“He had a heart the size of the moon”: Travel pros mourn the loss of Ken Stewart

This story was updated on Monday, April 21 at 5:18 p.m. EST

Travel advisor Ken Stewart, a name synonymous with kindness, generosity, and heartfelt service in Calgary, AB, has sadly passed away, PAX has learned.

Over the weekend, several from Canada’s travel industry posted tributes on social media in memory of Stewart, who founded Crowfoot Travel Solutions in 1999.

Stewart ran his agency for many years, until recently transitioning the ownership to Kim Paterson and Karina Fong to slow down and bring “fresh energy and innovation” to the business, according to a press release that was distributed in March.

Stewart was also recently featured in PAX’s weekly Monday Minute column, where he shared his professional insights about an industry he loved dearly.

What inspired him to become a travel advisor 25 years ago?

“A mid-life crisis,” he told PAX in March. “I wanted a career change after 27 years with Safeway and decided to open my own travel agency. I figured with my retail background, I could always find another job if it didn’t work out. Thankfully it did.”

What’s the most memorable trip he ever took? With TRAVELSAVERS, his consortium, a few years ago. To Africa.

“It was a bucket-list trip, exceeding all expectations, but especially memorable was sharing it with my wife and so many family and friends from the business,” said Stewart, who specialized in selling sun destinations, groups, destination weddings, and trips for multigenerational families.

READ MORE: Monday Minute - Ken Stewart of Crowfoot Travel Solutions

He was a firm believer in the power of being personable, friendly and honest with clients, potential clients and suppliers.

“You do it because you enjoy it, not just to make money,” he told us, sharing the secret to his success.

The “nicest and friendliest guy”

His passing has left a hole in the routines and hearts of Canadian travel professionals.

Jeff Carpenter, a strategic account manager at TravelBrands, described Stewart as the “nicest and friendliest guy” who attended every industry event and always took the time to chat with everyone who was around him.

“He was always so welcoming and had a big heart,” said Carpenter, who saw Stewart at an event just last month. “He always made time to chat, laugh, and greet you with a big smile. He was so looking forward to semi-retirement. It’s heartbreaking that he won't get to see this next chapter. The industry has lost an amazing guy.”

Kathryn Mazza-Burney, chief sales officer at TRAVELSAVERS, called Stewart an "inspiration to all who knew him." 

"He was a true mentor to many within the TRAVELSAVERS family," she said. "His love for his family, friends and this incredible industry came through in every conversation had with him. His infectious smile and big heart will forever be missed." 

“We have lost a dear friend”

Laurie Keith, CEO at Boutique Travel Services, first met Stewart 22 years ago when she visited his office as a temporary BDM for Anderson Vacations.

“When I started my own travel agency, Romantic Planet Vacations, he attended our product launch and was so supportive and always so kind,” Keith wrote on her Facebook page.

“Our friendship grew over the years through our mutual membership at Travelsavers and during in-person work trips to places like Arizona, Florida, a FAM to St. Lucia and Romance Travel Forum in Jamaica.”

During the COVID years, Stewart was “always” advocating for the rights of travel agency owners, Keith said.

“We had many, many chats about business. He was always so patient, so kind, so supportive, so knowledgeable,” she wrote. “He was my go-to when I just needed to talk shop or get things off my chest or needed advice. He was always there for me, as he was for so many others in the travel industry…Not only has our industry lost a leader, confidant, colleague and cheerleader, we have also lost a dear friend.”

Tammy Chamberlain from Go Travel in the Red Deer, AB, area travelled with Stewart on many FAM trips over the years.

“He was the best,” Chamberlain said. “He always had a smile and a hello every time I saw him at an event.”

Ruth Thompson was one of many who worked for Stewart at Crowfoot Travel in Calgary.

“My heart is broken,” Thompson wrote in a comment posted to Facebook. “Ken was one of the kindest people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. He had a heart the size of the moon, hugs that made you feel safe and a smile that filled any room he entered. I will miss him so much.”

“Sending all my love to Ken's beautiful family and to all that hold him in their hearts.”

“We’ll do our best to make you proud”

In a joint statement to PAX, Kim Paterson and Karina Fong, the new owners of Crowfoot Travel, said it’s “hard to put into words just how much Ken Stewart meant to us — and to so many people whose lives were touched by travel.”

“Ken wasn’t just the founder of Crowfoot Travel — he was Crowfoot Travel,” they said. “He built this agency with heart, hustle, and a deep belief in the power of travel to connect and inspire.”

Over the years, he created more than just incredible journeys for his clients, Paterson and Fong said. “He built a community of loyal travellers, trusted advisors, and industry friends who knew he always had their back.”

“When the opportunity came up for us to take over Crowfoot, it wasn’t a decision we made lightly,” the ladies went on to say. “We knew we had big shoes to fill but Ken believed in us. He offered his guidance generously and cheered us on. We’re incredibly grateful for the time we had with him, and for the trust he placed in us to carry on what he built.”

“Ken, thank you for your vision, your mentorship, and your unwavering belief in doing things the right way. We’ll miss you and we’ll do our best to make you proud. Relax – it is all taken care of.”

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