John M. Noel, founder of Travel Guard International and a notable philanthropist, passed away on September 30 at the age of 78 in Plover, Wisconsin. Noel was instrumental in establishing Travel Guard, which has become a significant player in global travel safety and security, alongside numerous other ventures like the Noel Group and Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection.
In 1993, he and his wife, Patty, created the Make A Mark Foundation, dedicated to building clinics, schools, and orphanages in developing countries. They also played a crucial role in enhancing local initiatives, such as co-founding the Boys and Girls Club of Portage County in 2002.
Noel received several accolades, including induction into the Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame in 2016. He was honored with the Franklin Covey Humanitarian Service Award and received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from UW-Stevens Point, where the Noel Fine Arts Center was named in his honor in 2006.
He is survived by his wife, six children, and 14 grandchildren. A celebration of his life is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on November 14 at Holy Spirit Church, with visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. on November 13 at his residence.
