By Geoff Smith (@smithco on Twitter) with files from Patrick Burles (@PatrickBurles on Twitter)

Well-known businessman Stephen Kotch passes away

Mar 29, 2017 | 10:23 AM

LETHBRIDGE – A well known businessman in the city is being remembered.

Stephen F. Kotch Jr. has died. A statement from the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce expresses condolences to his family. Kotch operated Kotch’s Exotic International Tours.

But he was also known for the annual Christmas Lights Tour he organized in Lethbridge. Kotch ran the lights tour for 54 years, leading a convoy of vehicles around the city.

In 2016 Kotch replied, “habit,” when asked why he had continued to organize the free lights tour.

“It is a lot of fun, I like to see people enjoying themselves, and most of them are loyal clients of ours and have been since 1927,” Kotch said. “It’s nice for them to walk up and shake my hand and say, ‘We remember you and we remember your grandparents and parents,’ because it was my grandparents who started the [tour] company back in 1927.”

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Kotch also served on city council.