Remembering Alan Richards

Alan Richards, well-known in the Canadian hotel industry, passed away suddenly in August at age 58. A 40 year veteran of the hospitality industry, Alan had countless friends, acquaintances, customers, and staff from coast to coast that experienced his unique openness and welcoming nature.

His career included work as executive director of operations for Sunray Group of Hotels, as longtime regional operations director with Westmont Hospitality and a number of general manager positions across Ontario.

“It is with deep sadness that I’m announcing the sudden passing of Alan Richards at his home town of Simcoe,” said Tony Elenis, ORHMA president, in a letter to ORHMA members. “It seems Alan was not feeling well and went to emergency where he passed away.”

“Al, as he is known to his friends and colleagues, has been a hospitality veteran serving the hotel industry for many years,” Elenis continued. “He has been a past chairman of ORHMA and a long term director on the board.

“Over the years Al Richards has demonstrated enormous passion and has been a encouraging voice for ORHMA and Ontario’s industry. We are very appreciative of all the work he has done and we all will miss him profoundly.

“For those that had the pleasure of knowing Al we will remember him for who he was and those fond memories that will always be there.”