Remembering Brian Langston

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Monday, 20 April 2020 12:24

It is with great sadness to report, former Heart FM General Manager Brian Langston passed away on Friday night after a courageous battle with ALS.

WOODSTOCK - The Heart FM family lost one of it's key members over the weekend.

It is with great sadness to report, former General Manager Brian Langston passed away on Friday night after a courageous battle with ALS. Brian moved to Woodstock with his wife Sue in 2015 from British Columbia to take the GM role at Heart FM. He immersed himself in the community right away and you could instantly feel his passion for doing local radio right. Brian was a fan of sports, but his three biggest passions were guitars, radio and of course his family. He leaves behind his wife, children, grand children and great grand children.

President of Byrnes Communications and Heart FM Chris Byrnes says he is really going to miss his friend.

"I feel privileged to have known and worked with Brian over the past few years. Brian was a self confessed guitar addict, a big fan of the Boston Bruins, and someone who was passionate about creating great local radio. He expected a lot, but he was always lots of fun to be around. He was creative, had a great voice and loved everything about radio."

Brian worked in the radio industry for over 40 years, starting out as a broadcaster and working his way up to be a General Manager for several stations over his career. He did share this note with Chris Byrnes before his passing.

"I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the past 4 plus years which have been the highlight of my career."

Brian expected a lot from his employee's and he lead by example. He also had a knack for knowing when you needed a kick in the rear, a pat on the back or just to ease the tension or lighten the mood with a joke. He was a very funny guy and will be missed dearly by his friends, staff and clients of Heart FM. News Director Chris McMillan shares some of his favourite memories working with Brian over the past 4 years.

"It breaks my heart that I won't be able to joke around with him about sports. Brian had a terrible taste in sports teams. He loved the New England Patriots and the Boston Bruins and I love the Buffalo Bills and Toronto Maple Leafs. I would always look forward to Monday mornings during Football season. My team normally lost, but on those rare occasions when the Patriots did lose, I would let Brian know and when the Patriots won, which was often, I'd remind him they probably cheated. Brian was also someone I looked up to in this industry and I am going to miss his leadership and advice. Most of all though I am going to miss his interaction with Jackie at the office. Anyone who worked at Heart FM during his tenure, knows what I'm talking about. Those two would have us howling with laughter, with just the simple ways they would say hello. To somebody from the outside, it might seem like they didn't like each other, except that couldn't be further from the truth and those two became like family and Jackie was with Brian and Sue until the very end."

Brian clearly loved his family and would often talk fondly about his wife Sue at the office and it was obvious to everyone how much they loved each other. Always the fighter, Brian had recently beat cancer, before being diagnosed with ALS. Brian also had a great dynamic at the office with our Sales Supervisor Darrell VanSickle who shared his favourite daily memory with Brian.

"Brian and I always referenced Tombstone as our favourite western and movie. I called Brian " Daisy" Doc Holiday and he called me Wyatt "Huckleberry" Earp. Before Brian passed, I was able to talk with him on the phone and pray with him along with re-assuring him that we will see each other again on the other side."

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.