In Memoriam - Berk Brean - 20061104 Photo Gallery by Jeff Chan's Queen's Sports Photos at pbase.com

In Memoriam - Berk Brean - 20061104

Queen's Athletics Mourns The Loss of a Dear Friend

Kingston, ON - The Queen's coaching community lost one of the great pillars when longtime football assistant coach Berk Brean lost his fight with cancer late Saturday evening (November 4, 2006). Berk was a coach with Lasalle and Frontenac Secondary Schools for 32 years and a quarterbacks, running backs and special teams coach with the Queen's Golden Gaels from 1998 through the early part of the 2006 season. Berk has a football field at Lasalle named in his honour and was renowned in the football community as being a great teacher of the game. Berk was a person that treated everyone he met with genuine kindness and affection and he will be missed by the Queen's and Kingston communities. Queen's Athletics would like to extend their condolences to the Brean family.

OBITUARY
BREAN, Francis Berkeley - A husband, father, teacher, coach and best friend passed away Saturday, November 4th 2006, surrounded by and holding hands with his wife Mary (McCue), sons Michael and Berkeley and daughter-in-law Renee. The end was peaceful after living 3 years with cancer. He lived with courage. Berkeley was born Feb 25th 1943 in Antigonish, Nova Scotia to Margaret and the late Berkeley Brean. He was the loving brother of Don of Toronto and Teri Arsenault (nee Brean) of Antigonish. He was loved by his mother -in- law the late Agnes McCue, father -in-law the late Alphonsus McCue, step-mother-in-law Eulalia McCue of Kingston, many brothers and sisters-in-laws and nieces and nephews. Berkeley attended Saint Mary's University in Halifax and graduated from Gonzaga University in Washington. He came to Kingston in 1967 and started teaching at Regiopolis College. Berkeley taught visual art and coached football and rugby for more than 30 years at Regiopolis and Frontenac and LaSalle Secondary schools. To this day, the football field at LaSalle bears his name. Since 1999 Berkeley coached on the staff of the Queen's University Golden Gaels football team and he lived to listen to the final game of this season. For his entire life Berkeley lived by the LaSalle motto “Facite Omnia Bene... DO ALL THINGS WELL“.

The photos of Berk shown below were taken between 2002 and 2006 in his role as coach, mentor and friend to many in the Queen's Football family.

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Dave Rodgerson		28-May-2009 12:19
I never amounted to much as a football player or an artist... but even now 35 years after leaving Frontenac there are many times that I reflect on the impact that Berk Brean has had on my life. He was a a remarkable man and we were all very fortunate to have been coached and taught by him. I had the chance to meet Mr Brean one last time here in Hamilton when the Gaels played McMaster. He had that same smile that seemed to radiate from his eyes and made you feel special... that you can accomplish anything. I will always carry his memory and try to live up to the standards that he taught us. We all became better people through him. Dave Rodgerson

CJS Frontenac Secondary		30-Apr-2007 15:52
Berk Brean was one of my high school teachers, at Frontenac Secondary School ... but he was more than that. He always made me feel valued. He had the unique ability to do that, for most of his students. He was a kind man. He went out of his way to encourage others. He was more of a father to me than my own biological father. I really loved Berkley. Though he never mentioned religion or God, he somehow taught me to have faith. It's difficult to explain. I think he just modeled unconditional love. My deepest affection to his surviving family. The poem below is for you and for him. May he forever be held in the peaceful and loving arms of God. What Lasts? All things pass, they do not last Not glory, gold nor fame And loves we grieve when ‘er they leave Will happen yet again The fashion clothes and finest silk We treasure, hold and wear Are here for now to gaze upon But fabric too will tear The mortar holding bricks so fine Will crumble in the breeze The jewels of life, possessions all Are here until they leave Our children too are in this world We think they are our own But they have paths apart from us Our soul is not their home Yes all we love and cherish now Like grains of sand in time Will slowly sift away from here As does this passing rhyme Yet hold so tight and cling we try To that which cannot be For change is like a rushing stream Towards the deep blue sea So cling not to the things of life Let go to ease your mind Be present in the moments now And joy you’ll surely find Yes love and peace are here for you And freedom from all fear Your life is now, so present be All wants are surely near Then seek his will, in prayer and praise Your gentle heart to heights be raised ‘Tis true and tried and all you need Yes only love will last … in DEED (Berkley - you were "Love")

Guest		13-Nov-2006 21:09
On behalf of my entire family, I want to thank everyone for their support these last few days. The love and caring from the Queen's and Kingston community has been overwhelming. Thank you to Jeff for the online memorial and all the photos over the years. I visit the site everyday to look at and remember my best friend. Berkeley

Guest		06-Nov-2006 18:39
Mary, Berk Jr. and Mike, our thoughts and prayers are with you in this truly sad time. Berk was an inspiration, a teacher and a mentor to so many. The manner in which he approached the game of life was a great reminder of the importance of family, church and team. I feel fortunate for the time I spent with Berk, and to have been able to make his teachings a part of my regular routine ever since. Steve Yovetich

Guest		06-Nov-2006 16:25
As tears well up in my eyes, I'm truly sadden to hear of the passing of Berk. My heart goes out to his family. We are all blessed to have had Berk pass through our lives with his welcoming demeanor, contagious smile and distinctive laugh. I feel lucky to have known him. We have lost a bright light but who's radiance will continue to shine and be felt for a long time. George Jackson

Guest		06-Nov-2006 16:10
Thanks Jeff for these pictures . Berk will be remembered as one of the Best that Kingstonians and Queen's has ever encountered . A true gentleman who also had a detailed football mind as well as a superb art historian...he was an original Rennaisance Man . He will not be forgotten...a coach to the end , he waited until the season was done before passing on . It was an honour to be coached by Berk at Regi , to coach along side him at Queen's and to call him,friend. Frank Halligan

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