Tribute Wall
Doantions
Chalmers Foundation
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A private family service will be held at a later date
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Chris Lyons posted a condolence
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Dear Family and Friends of Alan Burk,
My name is Chris Lyons. As a rare books librarian at McGill University I had the great fortune to get to know Alan when he was hired by the library to develop a metadata schema for our digitisation programme. I really enjoyed getting to know him as we worked together. My overriding memory is of a soft-spoken, very kind man who made me feel good just being around him. His obituary confirms my impression. I'm sure his memory will continue to be a blessing for everyone who knew him.
Chris Lyons
Montreal Canada
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Julia Pope posted a condolence
Sunday, August 24, 2025
Alan was a wonderful friend to my father and was always a pleasure to spend time with, going out for lunch or coffee, and sharing wide-ranging conversations. My condolences to Karen and Josh.
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Margaret Conrad posted a condolence
Saturday, August 23, 2025
Alan was a lovely man who made my work in Humanities Computing at UNB possible. To him and his staff at the Electronic Text Centre, I owe any success I achieved in the final chapter of my academic career. Alan was also a kind and thoughtful friend. During the covid pandemic when I was locked down, he even sourced spelt flour for me, and I have fond memories of dinners with him and Karen and also of occasional lunches with him after we both retired. I miss him.
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Peter Thomas posted a condolence
Friday, August 22, 2025
Allan was in every sense a true gentle man. He was kind, generous and open-minded. He never let his considerable intelligence intimidate and made all those he met feel both worthwhile and interesting (although one had to be very aware of his understated sense of humor!) He will be sadly missed.
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Elizabeth Hamilton posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
I first met Alan when I was a young MLS student at Western University. He was in charge of online searching, an emerging field at the time, pre-Internet.
Our exchange was comedic but insightful. After his tutorial on the vagaries of dial-up modem access to databases as far away as California, he left me with the importance of proofreading and advised me to make sure that I did not Inadvertently omit the L when talking about “public” libraries.
That was when I first became familiar with one of his trademark gestures, of running one hand, fingers splayed as they moved back and forth through his hair on his head, in seeming bewilderment. An early adapter of technology, Alan showed us how easy it was to build an electronic text centre. He walked by one day with a sheet of drywall and, when I asked what he was going to do with it, he replied that he was going to build an electronic text centre. That’s all it took, in the simplest form: create the space and know it will happen.
I wish I had known that Alan had been challenged by dementia. As with many other contemporaries, I understand what a most vexious disease it is and how it changes the lives of everyone close. It forces friends and family alike to accept the reality of living in the moment, without a broader sense of what came before.
The tribute was so perfectly written; it captures Alan’s life and passions (Petr helped me understand what a tenacious tennis player he could be), Alan’s sense of curiosity, and his search for the next horizon.
I feel so honoured to have known him, and to have had him as one of my mentors. My sincere sympathies to all his family—thanks for sharing him with us.
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Linda Homenick posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Sending you love and my sincere condolences
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Gillian posted a condolence
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Sending sincere condolences to Karen and Josh. I worked with Alan and always found him to be a kind caring person. After retirement I would often see him having coffee around town with Andy and would have the time for a few words to catch up on retirement travels. He will missed.
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Chris Rice posted a condolence
Friday, August 15, 2025
So sorry for your loss Karen. I have many happy memories of my early Fredericton years which included a regular Sunday morning meeting in the tennis courts at Kimble park & Alan was always a solid partner with a quick wit. Chris Rice.
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Sue Fisher posted a condolence
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Alan gave me my professional start in Fredericton and was always supportive of my career path. He was kind, generous, and discerning in his tastes. We stopped working together long ago, but I would regularly run into him in the neighborhood, as he walked his dog. I will miss those friendly encounters.
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Lesley Balcom posted a condolence
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Alan is well remembered at UNB Libraries by those who worked with him closely, and by those who knew him better for his vision and leadership in establishing UNB as an early leader in digital publishing through the Library's Electronic Text Centre. We continue to benefit from his legacy as the publishing world evolves. As many who had the privilege of working with Alan have shared in their own tributes, he was a highly respected colleague equally valued for his soft-spoken kindness, support, wit, and humility as for his accomplishments.
With deepest sympathy to Karen, Josh, and family,
Lesley Balcom (Dean of Libraries, UNB)
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Ardeth Maguire posted a condolence
Thursday, August 14, 2025
My deepest condolences to Alan’s family. I knew Alan from my years at Harriet Irving Library and will always remember his kindness. Sincerely, Ardeth Maguire
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Karen Kilfillen posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
I had many happy years working with Alan at the Harriet Irving Library, UNB. Not only was he a wonderful work colleague, he became much more….my friend. Alan, always soft spoken, yet in many ways “larger than life” because of his kindness, compassion, outreach, and wisdom. And his unforgettable laugh. These will stay with me always, A friendship to be cherished.
To Karen, Josh, family, and Alan’s dearest friends, I am so very sorry and share your heartbreak.
Karen Maguire Kilfillen
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Linda Kelly posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
He will be remembered well. Especially for his acquired penchant for neck scarfs - Parisian style. I remember when you both came back from the first trip to Paris/Europe and he seemed to adopt the scarf forever.
Thinking of you and family with great fondness and peace.
Linda Kelly
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Lyn Saunders posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
I was saddened to read of Alan passing in today newspaper. I worked with Alan for many years at the Harriet Irving Library and he was an exceedingly kind and well respected man who has left a legacy at the library for all. My condolences to Karen, Josh, and family.
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Yalda Bozorg posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Alan’s presence was quiet yet full of grace. I met him only a few times, but I have often worked with the tools he made for our class, each carrying the imprint of his care and mastery. From Karen and Alan, I learned what love looks like in the gentle way two people move through the world together, and what love sounds like in Karen’s voice when she spoke of him, always with admiration for his artistry and craftsmanship. His life and work reached further than he might have known, leaving a legacy of kindness, beauty, and devotion that will be remembered with deep gratitude.
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Dawn Saunders posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
I am so sorry to read about Alan. I worked with him for several years at Harriet Irving. He was always kind and considerate but he had that dry sense of humour. He will be missed. My condolences to Karen, Josh and family.
Dawn Saunders
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Stephanie Slauenwhite posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
I had the privilege of working with Alan for many years. He introduced me to a rich world of electronic text and humanities computing. His wit brightened difficult workdays. His compassion and intellect brought helpful solutions where problems had once existed. He was a joy to have as a colleague and a friend. My sincere condolences to his family and many friends.
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Jennifer Slauenwhite posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
My deepest sympathy to Karen and family. I have many fond and vivid memories of Alan from my time working for him at the ETC. Alan was compassionate, curious, ready to laugh and of course, very intelligent. I am so grateful I had a chance to work with him and very sad to learn of his passing. He was a very fine man.
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Melanie Knight posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
I was so sorry to hear of Allan’s passing. My dad (Rocky) truly cherished his time on the tennis court with him, and often spoke of the friendship, laughter, and good sportsmanship they shared over the years. Please know that we are holding you in our thoughts during this difficult time, and wishing you comfort and peace in the days ahead.
With deepest sympathy,
Melanie
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John Teskey posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
I arrived from away in 1991 as Director of Libraries. Alan welcomed me and provided much needed support. We developed a positve and productive working relationship with the development and implementation of many new services. The Electronic Text Centre, which Alan Directed, provided the framework for the preparation of the Canadian Poetry Database which continues to provide a modent income to the libreary, a variety of scholarly websites and much more. Alan's passig is a massive loss to a wide range of individuals whom he touched positively, the number certainly includes me! My deepest condolences to Karen Josh and family.
John Teskey
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Maryani & Rudy posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Our sincere condolences Karen and family. Alan was an important part of our lives. He taught us to always learn, to advocate for people who do not have a voice and to be kind and civil to everyone, including people with different worldviews.
Over the years, we discussed all kinds of things under the sun and we would probably end up questioning what is beyond it. He championed extended insurance for workers in the tennis centre where we used to play every week. And yes, we had a good laugh no matter what! Thank you Alan!!!!
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Brigitte Maicher posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
My sincere condolences to Allan's family. I can only imagine how much he will be missed, by all, especially also by Emma. The philosophy group will feel the empty spot more deeply now. We also always looked for him at the movies on Mondays. The first thing he would say when I came to the philosophy group the next day always was: How did you like the movie last night? Alan had both a scarp intelligence and profound kindness.
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Judy LeBlanc posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Karen, I'm so so sorry to read this announcement. I remember Alan to be friendly whenever he was in the College. Praying you and Josh will find peace. Hugs!
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Petr Landau posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
He was a great and competitive tennis payer and a wonderful person. I am profoundly sorry for your loss. Petr Landau.
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Lisa Charlong Norris posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Alan was my boss for many years at the ETC. He had vision and patience :) and I loved the life he lived. RIP Alan and my deepest condolences to Karen and Josh and Josh’s family.
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Ajit Thakkar & Bo Miedema posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Karen and family, please accept our sincere condolences. Ajit has fond memories of Alan formed during many discussion meetings of the philosophy group.
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Barry and Milda posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
What a great fellow Alan was! We are most sorry for your loss.
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Jane Fritz posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Karen and family, please accept my most sincere condolences on your loss, realizing that it’s been a tough, tough past year or so. Alan’s obituary describes him perfectly. As a former UNB colleague and proud member of our longstanding philosophy group (thanks to Alan inviting me), I can attest to his intelligence, good humour, kindness and love of family (especially Emma!!). It was my privilege to count him as a friend.
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Tuesday, August 12, 2025
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Tuesday, August 12, 2025
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Tuesday, August 12, 2025
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