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HB NEWS HE WAS A NATU VETERAN FIREFIGHTER FONDLY REMEMBERED HERB GARBUTT hgarbutt@metroland.com Bruce Lewis was in his brother's driveway when his phone rang. The call was a request for Lewis to teach a firefighting train- ing session. wae ea want to do that "he told his brother ll. multiple myelo- ma, yet he still felt strongly about passing on the knowledge he had learned Hills fire departments. “There were days where I thought he should have been in bed, but I would Grivel him to Fort Erie tod do tte seariel a eva "oak ing. For him, it was wife, family, fire." Lewis died earlier this month (July 2), leaving be- hind Sandy, his wife of 48 wis wasn't immediately drawn to the profession. His love for the outdoors saw him become a greenskeeper at Georgetown Golf Club and run his own lawn care busi- ness. He joined the depart- ment on a part-time basis in 1975 when he was 24. He became district chief, the highest rank for a volun- teer, and later captain after KEEP YOUR AN “He had an overriding desire to help people." ~ brother Bryan Lewis joining the department full time. _He javeht atthe Ontario ‘ire College and trained Indigenous “people to be- come firefighters in their communities ut his impact went be- sont those he trained. fellow Hants ed a young rael mm a burning house. Years later she invited them to her wedding. "He had an overriding desire to help people," said his brother, whose family benefitted from Bruce's fix- ALL YEAR ROUND * «KCC ASAT HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING casatineatingandair.com RAL Bruce Lewis photo Bruce Lewis, a member of the Georgetown and Halton Hills fire departments for more than 35 years, died July 2. it skills while Bryan trav- elled extensively as an NHL referee. Lewis remained humble about his contributions, though. It wasn't until this week that Bryan learned of another of his brother's he- roic efforts. Lewis was in Ottawa for fighter came across an accident scene. They fre man from one of the care and helped revive him. is, who was ho- noured for his efforts, sim- ply said it was a case of be- ing in the right place at the right time with the right -aining. “It was news to me,” Bry- an said. "He'd never men- tioned it. [had no idea until I read it in the paper." Larry Brassard joined the Georgetown depart- ment as an 18-year-old vol- “Bruce was quick to step up and show me the ropes.” Brassard, who went on to become fire chief in both ton and Gravenhurst, said Lewis was a no-non- sense kind of guy and ev- eryone knew where they stood with him. “He could take control of asituation and stay calmin the midst of chaos," Bras- sard said. “Some people are placed in roles or promot- ed. He was a natural. When Lewis could n longer ride the trucks, hs contributions did not end. Ast the > department's coor- = planning 7 zZ aS oe ‘created plans & ES r fires at = Ca a Fy 3 a v of crossings was so thorough that CN Rail requested a copy. Lewis received the fed- eral medal for exemplary service and a provincial long-service medal Cyndy Hammond, who works as the director of protective services in the Arctic, tweeted: "A legend in the Ontario Fire Serivce who See alega- cy, training thousands of firefighters. Bruce had the mouth of a sailor and the heart ofa saint. [learned so much from him. Rest easy my friend, I hope I've made you proud." SyA\Y| =] Be ke) $4000* *Subject to availability. Terms & Conditions apply. Call Today! (905) 460-4023