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BRIAN YATES Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for BRIAN YATES
Greg White
February 5, 2025
I am saddened to hear of Brian´s passing, over five years after the fact. My connection with Brian was always thru our love for vintage comic books. Yes Brian was a few years older then I, but then I was always a few years ahead of my time. We would see each other at Boston area comic conventions, meet up at Stan´s Magazine Exchange in Brockton or the Million Year Picnic in Harvard Square - anyplace that we could pursue our love of old `funny books´. This lasted thru Brian´s time at BC, then as he graduated and pointed his life in different directions we lost touch with one another, as so often happens. Obviously Brian made a very positive impact as a public servant and contributed greatly to the local community. I hope through his active life he remembered the joy of youth when we would read old comics, discuss the virtues of such and time seemed to pass just a bit slower. Rest in Peace Brian, hopefully there are old copies of Fantastic Four wherever you are residing.
Bill Minkle
March 10, 2020
We miss you and pray for you. God Bless your soul.
faith/rory tobin/dockett
August 17, 2019
Dear Yates Family again Rory and I would luv to express our condolences's on the loss of Brian Yates former City Councilor.luv,faith/rory
Charles Gargiulo
March 27, 2019
This is heartbreaking. I was literally Googling Brian because I wanted to reconnect with him and I saw this sad, sad news. I loved Brian, he hired me at Community Teamwork back in 1980 to be his Assistant Planning Director. I worked with him for seven years and we became great friends. I was involved with organizing low income residents to oppose the City Manager and powerful local officials plans to demolish a low-income, primarily Latino neighborhood and this created great pressure on the agency but Brian always stood up for me and ran interference with the Agency's Director because he knew it was the right thing to do. We shared so many laughs and wonderful times together and besides our serious discussions about trying to make the world a better place, we shared a love for Marvel comics, the Red Sox and movies. He was one of the kindest, smartest and wonderful people who graced this Earth. He has a permanent and special place in my heart and want his loved ones to know how much he meant to me. I'm so sorry I just found out and didn't get to pay my respects. I miss you Brian.
faith/rory tobin/dockett
March 23, 2019
Dear Yates Family Rory and I I wish to extend our condolences's on the loss of Brian E.Yates and may he rest in peace.luv,faith/rory
faith/rory tobin/dockett
March 21, 2019
Dear Yates Family Rory and I wish to extend our condolences's on the loss of Brian Yates.luv,faith/rory
March 20, 2019
I will miss Brian very much as a fellow Newton Democrat, and a good friend to the Waban Library Center, and a good man.
Alice Jacobs
Stan Schwartz
March 20, 2019
I knew Brian since the early 1980's and am grateful for it. We worked together at Community Teamwork in Lowell for 12 years. Brian is family. He was one of the most thoughtful, intelligent, and decent people I've been grateful to know.
Russ Feldman
March 19, 2019
Brian was one of the people who made our community more than just the place that people happen to live alongside each other.
Regardless of the particulars of any topic under discussion, I'm sure everyone would agree that Brian cared about Newton and always acted from his commitment to make Newton a better place. Particularly in an era of public incivility, where so many people are tuning out, we need more people like Brian.
As others have already said: he will be missed.
Beth Wilkinson, President Newton Conservators
March 19, 2019
Brian was a long-time advisor to the Newton Conservators. On the Board of Aldermen (City Council), he was a strong advocate for the environmental aims of our organization. We appreciated his love of Newton and its open spaces and his great achievements with the Friends of Hemlock Gorge. We will miss him.
Charles River / Hemlock Gorge Cleanup 2010
Maria Rose
March 19, 2019
I work for the City of Newton and got to know Brian over the years. Our paths often crossed for environmental initiatives and for many years during the Annual Charles River and Hemlock Gorge clean-up. He cared deeply about this City and it showed. He will be missed.
Paul O'Shaughnessy
March 19, 2019
Brian asked me to join the Upper Falls Historic District Commission in the early 1990's, the the Newton Design Review Committee. His strength was pulling people in to serve the community. One wishes every public servant could learn from his example.
March 18, 2019
I am deeply sorry for your loss
May fond memories of happy peaceful times soothe your heart
and give you hope (Jeremiah 29:11)
C D
Stephen Linsky
March 18, 2019
I suspect a common theme among the fond recollections of his former Board of Aldermen (Council) colleagues will be Brian's absolute dedication. I can't recall an instance he failed to show up for, or put himself above, the interests of the City and its residents, particularly those less fortunate. And while he held a deep appreciation of history, Brian was never so wedded to the past that he was unable to consider change. He was willing to listen and honestly speak his mind, no matter how popular. Above all, Brian's deep reverence for the environment, both natural and human-made, lent a sense of gravity to his otherwise light-hearted touch.
Bill Minkle
March 18, 2019
Brian and I were colleagues and friends for many, many years. We shared many interests particularly community action and the War on Poverty, affordable housing, politics, and our faith. He was a wonderful, bright, hard working man and a great friend. Brian loved his community and being active in it. He had a great sense of humor and just a caring and gentle soul. He will be missed by many and I am sure that he will be greeted in heaven by the Lord saying "well done my good and faithful servant through a life well lived. God rest your soul Brian. We will miss you.
Peggy Shepard
March 18, 2019
Rest in peace, Brian. As my former boss in Planning, I will always have fond memories of you and the time we spent together. You taught me so many things and I will always be grateful. "May God hold you in the palm of his hand." God Bless, my friend.
Helena Crocker
March 17, 2019
So sorry to hear of his passing...always a gentleman and a helpful worker to me many years ago at Community Teamwork, Inc. Go in Peace, Brian!
Barbara Labadie
March 17, 2019
Always kind. Always a gentleman. Loved by all in his community and parish. God Bless and God Speed Brian. You will be missed.
From Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary School. grade unknown
March 17, 2019
I Knew Brian for the majority of my life. Brian was unwavering and applied his education,professional experience and compassion to the betterment of the Newton Upper Falls community. He was our committed advocate and is owed a large dept of gratitude. Thank you Brain and may you Rest In Peace.
Tom Nelson
Judy Hartwich
March 16, 2019
Brian was one of two geniuses in our elementary school, Emerson in Newton Upper Falls. It was great to see him at the 2007 Newton South High School Reunion of the class of 1967. He was always kind and gentle. I feel privileged to have known him in my lifetime and am very admiring of his life in the political and preservation realms.
Showing 1 - 22 of 22 results
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Memorial Events
for BRIAN YATES
Mar
19
Visitation
4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home
1305 Highland Ave., NEEDHAM, MA
Mar
20
Funeral
9:30 a.m.
George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home
1305 Highland Ave., NEEDHAM, MA
Mar
20
Funeral Mass
10:30 a.m.
Mary Immaculate of Lourdes Church
Newton Upper Falls, MA
Funeral services provided by:
George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home - Needham1305 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492
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