I first met Brian on my first day of work at CHFT, 21 years ago.  He was very kind and welcoming to me.  After a year or so, I began to work in Member Services.  I worked closely with Brian as he began to write our publications in Plain Language.  I had never even heard of Plain Language before that.   Brian was endlessly patient with me and taught me a great deal.

Eventually, I began to go out to work with co-ops.  I was very nervous when I started to co-teach workshops.  He always told me not to worry and that I knew more than I thought I knew.  Before I went to chair my first General Members’ Meeting, Brian spent time going through everything with me and making sure I felt comfortable.   The day after any difficult meeting, he was always sure to ask me how it had gone.

Brian always put his role as a father before anything else.  When his daughter was young, he always left the office by 2:45 so he could be home when she got home from school.  We all knew that no work was more important to him than being there for Yvette.  I hadn’t met many men who lived their life that way.

Brian was a great teacher, father, friend, and colleague.  We will all miss him so much.

-Mary Ann Hannant

Co-Operative Housing Federation of Toronto

Brian will long be remembered in the co-operative housing movement for his dedication to co-op education and communication. In particular, Brian was a consummate plain language writer who showed us that prose doesn't have to be difficult to be elegant -- and highly readable. Brian will be missed, but he has left us a legacy in his body of work from which all co-op educators can learn.

-Nicholas Gazzard

Co-Operative Housing Federation of Canada

When you dig into the substance of what we do day to day, you find Brian's influence everywhere. 

Financial statements prepared for the average co-op housing project are to a large extent plain language.  Brian worked long and hard on the statements themselves and on the people charged with preparing them.

When we deal with other accountants outside the co-op housing sector they invariably remark at the clarity of the financial statements enjoyed by the average housing co-op.  We can thank Brian for that.

We miss him and we have missed him.

-David Robertson

Prentice Yates and Clark

"Housing co-ops in Canada have lost a dedicated advocate for our movement.
Brian's legacy will live on in his many contributions to the sector and in the co-ops he worked with directly. Personally, I'll miss him as a colleague and a friend.

-Karla Skoutajan
Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada

When I first came to work at CHFT as receptionist in 1989, it was before voice mail and e-mail.  The reception desk was away from the rest of the office, at the front of a huge renovated warehouse that housed the federation.  There were over 30 CHFT staff at the time and one of my many challenges was to become familiar with everyone's name, extension, what they did and which projects they were working on.  One of my many tasks was to hand write messages if someone could not take a call.  As always, people were desperately looking for affordable housing.  When calls came in from assaulted women in shelters, I could not let them go without information, even if I had to call them back.  I had no idea of what the housing need was until this job - and it took an emotional toll on me.  For the first month, I thought every day would be my last.  In that first month - and thereafter - Brian stood out as someone who was always willing to stop and answer my endless questions - always with a gentle smile.  That is how I will always remember Brian, as a true co-operator and lovely human being.  As a Plain Language writer, Brian influenced me and many others to use Plain Language.  This has helped me in my current job, as well as in my personal life, as the parent of a teenager.  Plain Language works!  Keep it simple and get your message across.  There are not enough Plain Language words to express my appreciation for who Brian has been for me, this organization and the sector.  And everyone who reads our co-op housing publications is recipient of Brian's gift.  

-Miriam Wohl

Co-Operative Housing Federation of Toronto

I'm so sorry that Brian is no longer among us. He was an unusually fine person and the best plain-language writer there was, bar none. Brian converted me to the plain-language cause through his conviction that aesthetic aim and pedagogical purpose could be combined, without loss to either one.
-Alexandra Wilson

The Agency for Co-op Housing

When I first heard about the "plain language" movement in the sector, I was a sceptic. In fact, that would be an understatement. Brian won me over with his patience, good humour and intelligence. He challenged every assumption I had about communication and effective writing. I'm not sure anyone else could have made being proven wrong so entertaining, or so satisfying. We owe Brian a debt for helping us understand that honest, effective communication with our members is the cornerstone of a democratic movement.

-Thom Armstrong
Co-operative Housing Federation of British Columbia

We in the Co-operative housing sector were great beneficiaries to have Brian Burke serve our movement for well over two decades. He had an enduring passion to ensure that all who participated in co-operative living could do so from an equal footing, regardless of background, education or income levels.  

In this regard he pioneered initiatives such as conflict resolution to help neighbours resolve their differences amicably, and plain language educational materials so that all could understand and participate equally in the business of the co-operative.

Brian was someone who truly walked the talk and carried himself with immense humility. He treated everyone he came across with equal dignity and respect, that he became well known for.

Brian had many gifts. He was an educator, a conciliator, a community activist, a true democrat, and perhaps most importantly, he was and he remains, a role model for the rest of us to strive for. He will be sorely missed.

-Harvey Cooper

Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada

I first met Brian as the President of CHFT. At that time, CHFT had an education committee and Brian was the staff person that helped to assist the committee. As a rookie President with absolutely no self confidence, chairing this committee with experienced workshop leaders and sector volunteers was very unnerving. He was a pillar of strength and encouraged me to face my challenge head on. The depth of his knowledge was overwhelming. Brian was a kind, generous and caring person. Long after I left the board Brian always took the time to say hello and catch up with me whenever we saw each other. Like many others, I always think of Brian whenever I read any of the Co-op Housing Bookstore publications or hear about "plain language". I will always remember Brian with the utmost respect and will miss him dearly.

-Donna Charbonneau

The Agency for Co-op Housing