Firefighters from Courtenay, Comox and 19 Wing Comox lined Lerwick Avenue Monday (March 22) morning to provide a final salute to one of their own.
Retired Canadian Forces firefighter Greg Geldart lost his battle to cancer earlier this month and those in the fire service lined the streets of Courtenay as part of his procession to his final resting place in Campbell River.
Jim Lariviere, asst. fire chief for Comox Fire Rescue worked with Geldart in the military, and described him as a “good, hardworking firefighter at the wing.”
He said Geldart retired about 10 years ago, and having many of the Valley’s firefighters as part of a procession is a sign of solidarity for all members of the fire service.
Additionally, the solidarity speaks to the agreements between all of the fire departments in the Valley.
“19 Wing is a bit part of that … we have a really strong relationship (with them).”
He estimates there are about nine 19 Wing firefighters who also volunteer their time with Comox Fire Rescue, in addition to other departments in the Valley.
In a statement, Capt. Alexandra Hejduk, public affairs officer for 19 Wing Comox said the wing was saddened to hear the news of the loss of Geldart.
“Corp. (Ret’d) Geldart was a former military firefighter and we honour his 30 years of service to the Royal Canadian Air Force and to Canada,” she added.
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