Barry Burgess died Monday following a lengthy illness. (CBC)

Longtime CBC radio broadcaster Barry Burgess has died following a lengthy illness.

Burgess, 63, died Monday in Regina.

He spent 35 years with CBC, 25 of them in Saskatchewan, before retiring in 2002.

"He was a very laid-back sort of guy — very pleasant and easy to listen to, " said Mal Isaac, a retired CBC broadcaster who worked with Burgess for many years.

"He had a very dry wit. He'd say things and I'd wonder, 'Where did that come from?'" Isaac said.

"And how could you forget that voice? It was a smooth voice, not your typical CBC voice at that time."

Burgess presented the news and hosted the Noon Edition, the program now known as Blue Sky. In his final years with CBC, he hosted Saskatchewan Weekend.

Burgess started his career at CBC Ottawa in 1966. He worked in Inuvik before moving to Regina in 1977.

Burgess was afflicted with a degenerative neurological disorder and for his last three years, he had not been able to speak.

"He was a very good man and a good friend," Isaac said. "I'll miss him."

Funeral arrangements haven't been announced yet.