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Trevor Brading: air cargo industry doyen

[ April 13, 2022   //   ]

Air cargo industry stalwart Trevor Brading has died, aged 89, following a brief illness.

He joined the air cargo industry in 1956, initially working for Pan American Airways and then worked for Airport Courier Services in the 1960s, followed by National Airlines as its UK Cargo Manager around 1968.

When National was absorbed by Pan Am in 1980, he re-joined Pan Am briefly, before leaving again to join Delta Air Lines as its Cargo Manager UK, after the airline had commenced online services from the UK. He remained at Delta until his retirement in 1996.

His other abiding passion was running, which he only took up at the age of 40. He was to be seen running along the Seven Mile Ride from Windsor Castle every day before going to work, and also ran 26 full marathons (including London, Atlanta, New York, Boston and even the Grand Canyon), countless other 5k and 10K races and many of the World Airline Road Races (WARRs).

His biggest ambition, sadly unrealised, was to run a marathon aged 100.

One of his proudest moments was carrying the Olympic torch in Atlanta (Delta’s home city), for the 1996 games in San Francisco. He also famously ran the 40 miles from London Heathrow to London Gatwick in memory of his late friend Kevin Bell, successfully raising enough money to buy a baby incubator for the Princess Royal Hospital.

Trevor was a long-serving committee member of United Kingdom Air Cargo Club Heathrow branch, of which he was chairman for various terms in the 1980s and 1990s.

Those who knew him will remember a quietly-spoken, modest, but very warm individual whose knowledge of the industry was unsurpassed. He was a true gentleman, and a loyal friend to many. He is deeply missed by his sons Trevor junior and Mike.

Trevor’s funeral will take place at The Wakefield Crematorium, West Yorkshire, on Friday 22 April at 12.40. Anyone wishing to attend should contact Mike Brading (Tel: 07714271826 or mike@mikebrading.com); for those unable to do so, the service will also be live streamed online on the day and available to be viewed for seven days afterwards: www.wesleymedia.co.uk/webcast-view and clicking on <view webcast> and entering secure 7-digit PIN 761-5724. Any donations in Trevor’s memory can be made to Parkinsons UK.

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