Pitt Meadows firefighters said goodbye to one of their longest-serving volunteer firefighters this week.
Jack Dougan died after a long battle with cancer.
“He was a passionate guy and a dedicated guy,” said assist. fire chief Brad Perrie.
He said that Dougan joined in 1979 and served as a paid on-call volunteer firefighter until 2012.
He initially retired from the department in 2012 after 32 years, but rejoined the department a year later. “He couldn’t stay away,” fire chief Don Jolley said then during before the annual awards banquet.
Dougan, 71, spent more than 35 years as a volunteer with the department.
Dougan is survived by his wife Faye, and two sons Cam and Brandon, and grandchildren.
Both of his sons also served with Pitt Meadows before moving on to full-time firefighting jobs with other cities.
Cam served with Pitt Meadows Fire and Rescue Service from 1992 to 2004 before moving on to Surrey fire department.
Brandon served with Pitt Meadows from 2008 to 2010 before moving to Port Coquitlam fire department.
“All three of them were on the department at one time,” said Perrie. “He was really, really proud that he was able to serve with his sons.”
After he retired, he kept in touch and often dropped into the fire hall to wash his car. “His car was the cleanest car ever,” Perrie said. “You don’t get very (many) paid on-call that serve that many years.”
The flags at Pitt Meadows Fire and Rescue Service have been lowered to half mast in honour of his service and will remain so until sunset on the day he’s laid to rest, says the City of Pitt Meadows.
