The long-time chief executive of the Manitoba Real Estate Association (MREA) is being remembered as a staunch industry advocate at both the local and national levels over the last 25-plus years.
Brian Collie, who had been CEO of the MREA since 1991, died suddenly last Wednesday at the age of 67.
“Brian’s depth of character and wisdom made him an invaluable mentor to countless people in organized real estate in Manitoba and across Canada,” MREA president Roberta Weiss said in a written statement.
“His endless dedication to improving and advancing the real estate profession, while developing plans for better consumer protection, has benefitted countless communities. His humble influence, friendship and gentle hand of guidance will be greatly missed.”
Last year, Canada’s leading magazine for the real estate industry — Real Estate Magazine — also named Collie as one of the people who had the most impact on Canadian real estate over the last 25 years.
“Brian Collie’s persona of a quiet guy from a small association in the wilderness belies his true power in the industry and his ability to get things done,” Bill Madder, CEO of the Association of Saskatchewan Realtors, said at the time.
“Brian always knows what is going on in the business from coast to coast and does a great job of working with all the right people to get the right things done for the betterment of our profession,” Madder added. “From education to federal affairs to MLS to ethics, Brian has had a hand (sometimes invisible, but always there) in most of the major changes in the real estate world over the past 25-plus years.”
Collie, whose real estate career began in 1972 as a salesperson, also served as president of the MREA and the Winnipeg Real Estate Board in the late 1980s.
He is survived by his wife, four children, 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Westwood Community Church, 401 Westwood Dr.
