VAN VALKENBURG, Richard Burke - Passed away peacefully on January 3, 2019, in Cobourg, Ontario, after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease.
He was 85. He is survived by his son Burke Jr. (Stefanie), daughter Tanya (Penny), grandchildren Taylor, Emily, Owen and Luca, great-grandchild Anastasia and sister Greta.
Burke was born in Toronto in 1933 to Evelyn and Dick Van Valkenburg, who were prominent members of the Canadian arts establishment.
Burke was a broadcasting pioneer who started several successful communications enterprises, including Trans Media Services and Van Valkenburg Communications. He was active in many organizations, including the Toronto Press Club, the Albany Club, the Empire Club of Canada and the Conservative Party of Canada.
Burke was warm, generous and charismatic and well known for lightning-fast quips and puns.
His loyalty to his friends resulted in countless lifelong friendships.
The family will hold a memorial in the spring, date and location to be confirmed.
Donations to the Alzheimer Society of Canada would be appreciated.
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