Sad news to report this morning from Council President Marc Laredo:
“I am very sorry to inform you that our valued former colleague, Councilor Brian Yates, died yesterday from complications arising from a severe cardiac arrest he incurred several weeks ago. Councilor Baker, who succeeded Brian as the senior member of the Council, is in touch with his family about funeral and other arrangements. As soon as we know more, we will inform you. In the meantime, our condolences go out to Councilor Yates’s family and many friends. Brian was a distinguished public servant who will be sorely missed.”
The wake for Brian Yates will be held on Tuesday, from 4-8 pm at Doherty’s Funeral Home in Needham. The funeral mass is on Wednesday at 10:30 am at Brian’s church, Mary Immaculate of Lourdes.
Oh my. Such a big loss.
I didn’t always agree with Alderman/Councilor Yates but I always admired his passion, his commitment, his integrity and his good humor.
It was an honor to know him; to learn from him; to pick up trash every spring at Hemlock Gorge with him; and, occasionally, to spar with him — always in the most civil and respectful way.
It’s fun thinking of Brian reuniting with Carleton Merrill, Sal Salvicci and others who exemplified an era in our city’s history. Giants who made giant contributions to a city they loved.
He will be sorely missed – particularly here in Upper Falls.
In addition to devoting 30+ years to the City Council, Brian was also president of the Friends of Hemlock Gorge for much of that time – working, restoring, preserving and protecting the park he loved.
He was a true public servant and a man of great integrity. Rest in peace Brian.
So sorry to read this. Brian was a truly good man – and another Newton legend who cannot be replaced.
Here are some memories from his retirement celebration last January at Dunn Gaherin’s:
https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-bBGMpq/
A big loss too early. Condolences to his family.
Such sad news. In just a few months, 2019 has been a year of losing important contributors to our community.
Brian loved his role as city councilor. Ward 5 voters lost an excellent public person whe they voted for someone else. He was loyal to his community regardless.
He will be missed by those who value Newton’s traditions and its history. Brian loved to preserve what made Newton a great city.
Brian and I began our career on the Newton’EDC. Both of us are urban planners, and I always admired him
and appreciated the advise he gave me on land use matters in my early years on what was the Board of Aldermen. I will miss him.
Former Alderman Mitch Fischman
Very sad to hear of Brian’s passing. We agreed on the vast majority of issues, and I was constantly impressed on his level of detailed personal knowledge of the inner working of the city. His goal was always to see things from the constituent’s perspective, to serve the needs of voters, and he never tried to impose a “top-down” viewpoint. Brian proved day in and day out his in depth grasp of everything from complex issues to mundane procedure.
I remember sitting in a meeting one particular time when a home owner on Quinebequin was having an issue with flooding. Brian’s institutional knowledge was amazing and he immediately identified the whats whys and potential fixes. Beyond impressive.
Alderman Yates exemplified dedication and constituent service, we worked together very well, I was proud to campaign hard for him, to have his support, and more importantly, his friendship. G-d bless Brian. Rest in Peace.
I’m very sorry to hear this. With Brian’s passing, we also lose an encyclopedia of knowledge about Newton’s history.
Very sorry to hear this news. I echo those that said Brian was a tireless and dedicated advocate for Upper Falls and for the issues he was passionate about. There were plenty of moments where we didn’t see eye-to-eye on any number of issues, or even on the general competing philosophies of preservation vs. change. But through all of that, his demeanor and friendliness were unwavering. He was just a hell of a nice guy and someone I will really miss seeing around. He also had a tremendous sense of humor, and knew never to take himself too seriously no matter the seriousness of the issues at hand.
Very sad and significant loss to Upper Falls and the City of Newton. I hope the City can identify a public place which can be named in Brian’s memory for all to see and think back of all he did to enhance the well being and protection of Upper Falls and the City of Newton. He left a great legacy of good works and did make a difference! A true and honest and caring quintessential Public Servant.
Lois Pines
I saw a lot of Brian in 2017 during the campaign. Despite knowing I was probably gunning for his seat, Brian was ever the gentleman, kind and honest.
He also had a sly sense of humor, sometimes barely heard in committee meetings, that veered into poetry and Star Trek references.
Brian’s dedication and advocacy for Upper Falls are a legacy that I can only hope to emulate.
He was a pillar of our community in Ward 5 and the city. We will miss him.
Here’s a video of Bob Burke talking about Brian from the same party at Dunn Gaherin’s where Jack shot the great photos. https://youtu.be/XLRwmlDtqYI
I can still hear Brian’s voice in my head. I’ll miss it in real life. He was smart and wry and funny and our conscience and institutional memory.
sad news ……rip Brian yates
Sad to learn of the passing of former Ald. Yates.
Fond memories of him during my time in Newton. First, as my Ward 5 representative when I lived in the Highlands (Cragmore Road) from 1995 to 1997; second as a fellow city employee from 2012 to 2016. Very articulate, well versed in law and City Ordinance with a wealth of local historic knowledge. He was always respectful to others despite differences in opinion.
Every time we were in the same room together, usually at a PS&T meeting, he would wander over to me without saying a word, hand me a sheet of paper with 2 or 3 scribbled lines of requests for a new sign, or line painting or issue to look into and simply walk away. Once in awhile, he would stop, sit next to me and we would have a conversation. I will never forget those notes and personal conversations and the incentive they provided as I figured he took the time to put them down on paper so I should do my best to address the concern. I will take those moments with me for the rest of my days.
My condolences to Brian’s family and friends. He was a decent man who was a good and faithful servant for so many years.
God speed Brian. God speed…
@Julia Malakie. Thanks for posting my comments during the appreciation party for Brian at Dunn Gaherin’s a year ago January. This has hit me very hard and I’ve had difficulty saying or writing the deep feeling of loss I’m experiencing. I know Brian would have been overjoyed to see how much he has meant to so many in this City and beyond.
This is very sad news. Although we didn’t always agree, I always respected his passionate defense of his views. In all things, his love of Newton was apparent. My condolences to his family and friends.
I was sad to hear of his passing. It seems to me that he was what all public servants should strive to be: committed, pure of intention, and a fighter for the community he represented.
Condolences to the many whose lives he touched.
Very sad to hear and a huge loss. Brian gave his heart and
soul to the city for many years. Most people will never know how much he has done for all Newton over the years. Along with Linda Plaut,
irreplaceable institutional memory and reverence for our city passes away with these people when they die.
Not sure why people feel the need to let everyone know that they “didn’t always agree” with the man who just died. Nobody agrees with everyone all of the time and that’s a given. There are classier ways to offer condolences than to highlight your differences.
Rest in peace, Mr. Yates. This is another great loss to our community.
@MaryMary: Being collegial and earning the respect of your political opponents was among Councilor Yates enduring qualities. It is part of who he was and, now, his legacy. Of course that is worth pointing out.
Among Brian’s many contributions to the city, I would like to add working to affect the decision to keep Mary Immaculate in Upper Falls
open and restored. He also acted quickly to maintain the library stock at Waban library when the city moved to close it. I always appreciated his
ability to bring forward a quote in support of the point he was attempting to make, and do it with wry humor. His citations would send me to google, and I am better for it. Lastly, I was so impressed with Brian’s efforts to improve his general health in the last year or so,he disproved the idea that you can’t change after a certain age. I learned so much more about Brian at the tribute referenced above. Upper Falls will always mean Brian, especially when I hear the church bells chime.
Like Bob Burke, I am having difficulty finding the right words to describe the feelings involved in losing Brian.
Let me just say that throughout the thirty years we served together on the Newton City Council, Brian was a great colleague and a great friend.
a man of great dedication to many causes, which he served faithfully for many years. A faithful servant at his home church, Mary Immaculate. You are sadly missed Brian–may you rest in peace.