UK. Clifford (Bruce) McGuire’s funeral will take place on 7 August at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 1 The Avenue, Tadworth, England.
As reported, the much-respected travel retail pioneer, known to all as Bruce, passed away peacefully in his sleep on 7 July.
Bruce’s son Stuart McGuire extended an open invitation to everyone who wishes to pay their respects and celebrate his father’s life at the funeral.
“Refreshments, reflection and entertainment will take place afterwards in the church hall until around 5pm. Dress as you wish. Panama hats welcome,” he said.
“For those that wish to send flowers, we would suggest to donate to the Variety Golf children’s charity. Bruce was an active part of this cause and we will aim to continue that support until we have provided another sunshine coach.”
Donations to the charity, which offers children the opportunity to visit places many of us take for granted via its Sunshine Coaches, can be made here.
Bruce McGuire’s career in travel retail is well documented. In 1971 he founded Clifford Enterprises, a distributor of watches and gifts, which grew into a highly influential, profitable and respected business over many years, until he eventually sold it to Ronson.
Montine, a watch brand which he launched in the same year, was another success story. It became a phenomenal bestseller inflight, selling more than half a million units per year during the 1980s. This prompted the Montine advertising slogan – ‘one sold every minute around the world’.
Bruce was also a key inspiration behind the creation of Scorpio Distributors, the UK-based distribution business owned and run by his son Stuart and later sold to Gebr. Heinemann. 
The moment was capped poignantly by Jill McGuire’s lovely rendition of Puccini’s O mio babbino caro. The title will not have been lost on Stuart McGuire. It translates as ‘Oh my beautiful father’. Never was a song more appropriate.
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