Sunday July 11, 2021 | COLWOOD, BC
Island Social Trends | Editor: Mary P Brooke
There was a well-attended Memorial Service for the late John Cassidy who was the Colwood Fire Chief. The service was held in the afternoon on Saturday July 10 at 1 pm on the West Shore Parks and Recreation Lower Fields, under bright sunny skies.
Chief Cassidy passed away suddenly on June 23, 2021, as announced by the City of Colwood the next day:
“This is a tremendous loss for our community. We are so deeply saddened by John’s passing,” said Colwood Mayor Rob Martin. “We hold John’s family in our thoughts as we come together as a community to support the close-knit team of staff and volunteer firefighters he led and the many, many people who will feel this loss deeply.”
The service included a procession of firefighter and first responder units from around the province marching from the Juan de Fuca Library on Island Highway to the lower fields at West Shore Parks & Recreation.
After an Indigenous blessing, speakers included Mitzi Dean, MLA (Esquimalt-Metchosin), Colwood Mayor Rob Martin, Chief Cassidy’s wife and children, Fire Department representatives, and the Greater Victoria Police Pipe Band.
In lieu of flowers, the City of Colwood kindly asks for donation made to The Colwood Firefighters Association Darryl Corrigall Memorial Scholarship. Condolences may be sent via email to: www.carefuneral.com
These remarks were posted by the City of Colwood on their Twitter feed, after the event, with photos: “Honouring a respected leader, a firefighter, colleague, friend, father and husband. A man of great integrity, thoughtfulness, kindness and humour. Chief Cassidy you will be missed dearly, and never forgotten.”
Comments from community leaders:
Long-time Colwood Councillor Gordie Logan posted on Twitter today: “This was an incredibly moving memorial. Comforting to me was how the fire service and all protective services really, wrapped their arms around Colwood Fire so the women and men could process, grieve and remember. I’m so proud and grateful.”
Central Saanich Fire posted on Twitter: “Today we stand together remembering our dear friend Fire Chief John Cassidy. Thank you for your service. May you Rest In Peace.”
Long-time service:
Cassidy had been part of the force since 1999 and served as fire chief from 2017 until his death. His own firefighters tried to help save his life, after his family’s medical distress call on the night of June 23.
===== RELATED:
Sudden passing of Colwood fire chief (June 25, 2021)
