OTTAWA -- 580 CFRA technical producer Brian Fraser has died from leukemia after a two-year battle with the disease.

He was 26.

Brian's efforts to direct people to the cause of blood donation drew national attention, including appearances on national CTV News broadcasts.

He frequently used social media as a platform, including a post on Twitter in September, 2019 which drew more than 167,000 views.

  

A Brockville, Ontario native and graduate of Algonquin College, Brian was in charge of operating all technical on-air aspects of CFRA's "The Morning Rush with Bill Carroll" for years.

During Fraser's battle and absence from the show, Carroll often referred to Brian as a "genius" and a "hockey savante" who was "lightning-quick" with a soundbite.

"We all love this guy very much," Carroll said on Friday. "It’s nothing artificial about what you’re hearing. He was just a really easy guy to like, an incredible technical producer who added so much to our show, to the sound, to the dynamic."

Brian's father Rick Fraser made reference to the Senators winning Thursday night as he announced his son's passing.

 

 

During his battle, Brian drew support from many of the sports heroes he worshipped, including members of the Ottawa Senators, Hockey Canada, Pittsburgh Penguins legend Mario Lemieux and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees.

Brian leaves behind family in Ottawa and Brockville including his father Rick, mother Sheila, brothers Ian and Tait, and many cats.

Tributes flowed on social media Friday morning from sports organizations, politicians and Brian's Bell Media family following news of his death.

Brian's beloved Ottawa Senators opened their practice Friday morning with a stick salute in tribute.

On Saturday, the team said it would be skating with decals on players' helmets featuring the letters "BF" and a drop of blood.