Cheryl Simonin believes her husband, Maurice, was born to be a firefighter.
Simonin along with other family, friends and Calgary firefighter brethren gathered yesterday at city hall to pay tribute to fallen brigade members.
Maurice Simonin, a former division chief and 36-year firefighting veteran died 10 years ago from multiple myeloma, caused from years of battling fires, his wife said. But, she said he wouldn’t have changed a thing.
“He loved his job. He loved the guys. He loved the camaraderie,” she said.
“He always said that he could never have thought of any other job he’d rather do in his life.”
Simonin cherishes the annual memorial for fallen firefighters.
“It’s important to remember they gave their lives for us, and for the city,” she said.
Opening and closing prayers were delivered by the brigade chaplain, Amazing Grace was played by bagpipers and the fire bell was rung to remember each of the fallen firefighters.
“It is the memory of those that have lost their lives as a result of firefighting that continues to remind those in the service, as well as those we provide service to, about the dangers that firefighters face.” said fire Chief Bruce Burrell.
