While a career in firefighting inherently means a devotion to service before self, those who knew Georgetown’s Bruce Lewis will undoubtedly say that he took this sentiment above and beyond.
The local captain - who died July 2 after battling multiple myeloma - spent decades training thousands of firefighters across the province, whether it was locally at the Halton Hills Fire Department (HHFD), at the Ontario Fire College or on behalf of the Ontario Fire Marshal.
In a fitting display of how many lives he impacted, firefighters turned out in full force to pay their respects on Friday with an honour guard at Lewis’ memorial service and a procession of fire trucks that led mourners to the cemetery.
“We had no idea the magnitude of how many he touched in the province’s firefighting system,” said brother Bryan Lewis. “I can’t tell you how many people said to me, ‘Bruce taught me this’ or ‘I wouldn’t be a firefighter without him.’ He was a caring person. He had an extreme desire to help people.”
HHFD Captain Tom Robertson said Lewis had an “incredible impact” on his career and many others as a training officer and company officer in the local fire service.
“His knowledge and passion for the job was second to none,” he said. “Working under him during my time in the training division provided me with an unbelievable opportunity to learn and develop into the person I am today.”
Beyond training, Bryan said his brother was always ready to put himself in peril to help someone else - stories that he ended up learning from others as Lewis didn’t go around speaking about his efforts.
“He and three other firefighters once saved a baby’s life from a fire,” said Bryan, adding that when the young girl grew up, she invited all four of them to her wedding.
Then there was the time Lewis sprung into action while attending an event in Ottawa with other fellow firefighters.
“There was an accident and the guy had no vital signs. All of them combined their efforts and saved the man’s life,” recalled Bryan. “These were things that my brother never told me about. These guys just quietly, discreetly go about their jobs and say, ‘I’ve got to go save somebody’s life.’”
Lewis leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Sandy, and daughter Shalon.
The family is asking those who wish to honour Lewis’ memory with a donation to direct them to either Multiple Myleoma Canada, Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital Cancer Clinic or the Firefighters Cancer Support Network.
