Tributes have been paid to former secondary school teacher Jon Berridge, who switched careers to become a Hays Travel Personal Travel Consultant earlier this year and died suddenly on December 23 following a cardiac arrest.
Berridge studied with the Hays Academy before starting as a travel agent on June 17. He had taken his first booking – a cottage in Whitby for his brother and sister-in-law with Hoseasons – by June 30.
The Corby-based homeworker had worked as a teacher for more than 20 years but felt his work-life balance had gone awry, he told Travel Weekly‘s Lucy Huxley during an interview at Hays Travel’s overseas conference in November.
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He said he was “amazed at how busy and successful I have been” at the end of his first full month of trading with Hays, which he described as “like a family” in a separate interview with Travel Weekly.
Berridge and his husband enjoyed taking road trips in the US for their holidays. Together, they completed Route 66 and ticked off Washington, New Orleans, Washington DC, Shenandoah Mountain, the Blue Ridge Mountains, Dollywood, Florida and California.
They also embarked on several cruises together and visited the Greek islands.
Hays Travel described Berridge as a “truly authentic and warm person”.
A spokesperson said: “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Jon’s husband and family at this very sad time.
“Jon joined us through our new-to-travel academy and quickly established both himself and his travel business within our Hays Travel family.
“Jon was a truly authentic and warm person, full of energy and enthusiasm for his new career.
“He was warmly received at our overseas conference in November, where we all enjoyed hearing about his successful journey from education to travel – down do his incredibly positive ‘can do’ attitude and lots of hard work.”
The spokesperson added: “On behalf of everyone at Hays Travel, rest in peace Jon, you will be greatly missed.”