West Hollywood mourned the loss of one of its civic leaders last week when Bradley M. Burlingame passed away. The city flew flags at half staff on Dec. 10 to honor the life of a man who was “part of the city’s family” and the president and CEO of Visit West Hollywood since 1997.

Brad Burlingame was the president and CEO of West Hollywood’s tourism agency for 18 years. Burlingame died of pancreatic cancer last week. (photo courtesy of Visit West Hollywood)

Burlingame, 62, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2013 and died Dec. 8.

“Brad was beloved in the West Hollywood community,” City Manager Paul Arevalo said in an email to city employees. “Brad’s imprint on the West Hollywood community is tremendous. His legacy will carry on for decades to follow.”

When Burlingame started as the head of the tourism agency 18 years ago, the company consisted of three staff members and had a six-figure annual budget, according to Visit West Hollywood. Since then, Burlingame grew the agency to a 14-person staff with an almost $6 million annual budget and expanded its reach to overseas markets. He helped leverage the city’s annual Halloween celebration into a festival now attended by more the 500,000 guests, and he led the establishment of a film marketing program for the city.

“Burlingame’s passing leaves a deeply felt void in the West Hollywood community as well as in the tourism industry overall, which will be difficult to fill,” said Lin Schatz, general manager of the Andaz West Hollywood and chair of the Visit West Hollywood board. “He was an innovator and a visionary who managed to move the Visit West Hollywood organization to a whole new level of success.”

Alex Stettinski is now the interim leader of Visit West Hollywood, per Burlingame’s recommendation. Stettinski and Burlingame were friends for 15 years, and Burlingame was one of two people who were “instrumental” in Stettinski’s growth.

“Brad was one of my mentors,” Stettinski said. “He has always been very special to me, professionally and personally. I’ve learned a lot from him. Brad will always be a part of the fabric of this organization.”

Burlingame was also active in the Los Angeles community and served on the boards of the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the West Hollywood Design District BID, and the Sunset Strip Business Association. But many city staff and community members said they loved Burlingame for much more than his professional success. A common thought shared by city hall and Visit West Hollywood employees was that Burlingame was unique because of the way he made others around him feel.

“[Burlingame] made you feel like you’re the only person in the room,” said Lisa Marie Belsanti, West Hollywood communications manager.

Community members also knew Burlingame because of his resilience in the face of tragedy. His brother, Charles “Chic” Burlingame, was the pilot of American Airlines Flight 77 which crashed into the Pentagon after it was rerouted by terrorists. Chic’s flight was on its way to Los Angeles where the brothers were supposed to go to a baseball game for Chic’s birthday on Sept. 12, 2001.

“We all knew Brad was a fighter – we had watched Brad mourn with dignity and grace in 2001,” Arevalo said. “One of the things that Brad spoke of after his brother’s passing was their shared love of baseball – and in particular, their love of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.”

Brad Burlingame and his brother Chic shared a love for baseball, particularly for the Angels. (photo courtesy of the city of West Hollywood)

Stettinski worked with Burlingame that year and remembers that his friend was never the same after losing his brother. Though traumatic experiences undoubtedly change people, Stettinski pointed out that Burlingame could have become bitter, hostile or afraid.

“But I never saw anything change negatively. Brad became a lot more compassionate and understanding,” Stettinski said. “He did not allow life to get to him. It takes strong will and determination, and Brad had both.”

Stettinski witnessed the same determination through Burlingame’s fight against cancer. When Burlingame was diagnosed, the cancer advanced to stage 4. After months of chemotherapy, Burlingame still worked in West Hollywood as much as he could.

“He was so sure and determined to beat the cancer. He did not let himself get down for one minute.” Stettinski said. “He was a fighter that I have not seen.”

Stettinski will remember Burlingame for that determination because it kept him alive for two years after his diagnosis.

Burlingame is survived by his wife Diane McDavitt and his two daughters, Marta and Lora. The Burlingame family is planning a memorial service in early January. Further details will be available soon.