It is with genuine sadness that we have learned that Paul Pasternak of The Travel Markets Insider – and much more importantly the husband of Editor Lois Pasternak – passed away on Thursday June 4,

after a long fight with cancer. Paul was not only a thorough professional, but also a real gentleman.

Writing very movingly in the current issue of The Travel Markets Insider, Lois Pasternak expressed her 'immense sadness and a broken heart' that she had lost her 'soul mate' and all of the directors of The Travel Retail Business and TREND would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Lois and her family for their great loss at this very difficult time.

Showing her usual strength and great dignity even while reporting his death, Lois Pasternak reports that Paul passed away without suffering after telling her bravely that he had experienced 'a wonderful life' with her when he was first diagnosed quite some time ago. At the same time, she also expressed her thanks to all those who have extended their sympathy, respect and love to her family in the past few days.

Lois adds that the funeral service will take place in New York this Monday on June 8 at 12 noon, at the Gutterman's Memorial Chapel, 8000 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury, NY 11797 Tel: 516.688.0083. A Memorial Service celebrating Paul?s life will also take place at a later date in Florida.

Lois has also invited anyone wishing to make a donation in Paul?s name to think of The Smile Train (www.SmileTrain.org) or any Cancer research programme of their choice.

Paul Pasternak was born in 1948 and passed away on June 4, 2009.

ED's COMMENT: Paul Pasternak was a really nice, intelligent guy with a great sense of humour and a true sense of dignity in both his personal manner and his professional life. While I wouldn't pretend to have known him deeply over our many years of contact, in the professional arena I was always very impressed with his passionate belief in right over wrong – a great quality he always shared with his lovely wife Lois. He was also extremely capable and had a great sense of humour.

Paul was also very sincere and open in his acknowledgment of the achievements of others in conversation with me, while retaining an enduring personal modesty about his own company's considerable progress.

He will be sadly missed by many and my personal sympathies and deep respect go out to Lois at this very private time, after dedicating herself to looking after him for such a long period since he was first diagnosed and also juggling her professional life without complaint over such a very difficult time. Lois is a very brave woman.