Winnipeg's downtown boosters are mourning the passing of Brad Hughes, who died May 20.  The editor-in-chief and co-owner, with his wife, Laurie, of the Fanfare Magazine Group was a leader in downtown revitalization efforts and promotion.  Hughes died as a result of complications from non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He was 53.

Hughes grew up in south Winnipeg.  After several years living out of province, he returned in 1984 as the publisher of Key Publishers'
Key to Winnipeg.  In the late 1980s, he launched Fanfare Communications with Laurie. Key to Winnipeg became Where Winnipeg, the local edition of the international tourism bi-monthly. Fanfare also publishes Ciao!, a local food and entertainment magazine, and several travel industry publications.

Hughes was committed to improving the quality of life in Winnipeg,  He helped found Tourism Winnipeg and developed the ad campaign "100 Great Reasons to Love Winnipeg".  He was also the first chairman of CentrePlan (now called Centre Venture Development Corporation), charged with revitalizing the downtown through promoting downtown redevelopment.

Laurie Hughes says that she will be carrying on Fanfare.  "For Brad, it was all about Winnipeg and making this a great place to live," she says. "I hope others are inspired by his example to step up and take up the baton and continue his work."

Brad Hughes is survived by Laurie, their 6-year-old daughter, Makena, five brothers and his mother.