In Memoriam
Lieutenant
Nigel Lancaster
Who died on March 24, 1975
West Vancouver, BC
Fire Fighter
Gary Hunter
Who died on March 24, 1977
West Vancouver, BC
Badge # 17
Age 37
Lieutenant Nigel Lankester was born on November 4, 1937 in London, England. He graduated from West Van High in West Vancouver. Nigel first served as a volunteer and then joined the West Vancouver Fire Department as a career firefighter on February 6, 1967 after leaving his job as a truck driver. In 1972 he was promoted to Lieutenant. On February 3, 1975 Nigel left the department and a month and a half later died in a tree topping accident in West Vancouver. Nigel left behind his wife Lynette and four children, Tara, Aaron, Scott and Carmen.
Badge # 18
Age 51
Bill Rickman was born March 26, 1934 in Wimbleton, England. He received his education at Queens Road High in Wimbleton. Bill was active in the Medical Corp during the Suez Canal Crises.
On May 8, 1967 Bill started work with West Vancouver Fire Department as a ambulance attendant/Fire dispatcher. He was the first to introduce Life Support in West Van. Bill always kept a stiff upper lip when always getting the newest and most inexperienced fire fighter as his driver whilst on the ambulance. He retired on November 15, 1975. Bill died of cancer. Bill was survived by his wife Patricia and daughter Elisabeth.
Badge # 44
Age 33
Firefighter Gary Hunter was born on June 30, 1944 in North Vancouver, B.C. He received his education at North Van High in North Vancouver. Gary started with the West Vancouver Fire Department on December 1, 1970. Gary was still on active duty when he died in West Vancouver of cancer.
Fire chief
Thomas “Flint” McKim
Who died on March 31, 1986
North Vancouver, B.C
Age 68
Fire Chief Flint McKim was born on January 5, 1918 in Victoria, B.C. He attended school in Oak Bay, B.C.
He was a Navy veteran from the Second World War. Prior to his installation as the first career Fire Chief for the West Vancouver Fire Department Flint had been with Oak Bay Fire Department and then worked for the training unit of the Fire Marshal Office in Vancouver.
On April 15, 1954 Flint became the new Fire Chief. He resigned on November 19, 1968. He died in North Vancouver of heart failure. Flint had two children, David and Janice.
Ambulance
Bill Rickman
Who died on September 3, 1985
North Vancouver, BC
Firefighter
Jack Blythe
Who died in 1990
Burnaby, B.C.
Badge # 4
Age 66
Firefighter Jack Blythe was born on Mar 19,1924 in Maple Creek, Sask. He received his education in Brandon, Manitoba. He joined the Navy in 1941 and served in the Second World War. Prior to joining the Fire Dept, Jack worked for the West Vancouver Municipality as the Hollyburn Forest Ranger. He started with the West Vancouver Fire Dept on Aug 15, 1954. He left the Fire Dept on May 18, 1958. Jack died at the George Derby Care Center in Burnaby. Jack and his wife Phyllis have 3 children, David, Don, and Dale.
Fire Fighter
Rex Neff
Who died on June 13, 1990
Richmond, BC
Badge # 65
Age 45
Firefighter Rex Neff was born on June 9, 1945 in Regina, Saskatchewan. Rex graduated from David Thompson High in Vancouver. Prior to joining the Fire Department, Rex worked for United Airlines at the Vancouver Airport. He started with West Vancouver Fire Department on November 18, 1974. Rex was on active duty when he died. Rex had two children Ryan and Nicole.
Fire Fighter
John "Doug" Clarkson Who died on April 11 1994 North Vancouver BC
Badge # 12
Age 63
Firefighter John “Doug” Clarkson was born on September 18, 1930 in Montreal, Quebec. He moved to West Vancouver and attended Inglewood High in West Vancouver. He started with the West Vancouver Fire Department as a volunteer at Horseshoe Bay prior to joining the West Vancouver Fire Department on November 25, 1959 as a career firefighter. During his term with the department, Doug spent some time in the Fire Warden Office. Doug had previously worked for ES Livsey Construction and Mercury Water Taxi operator in West Vancouver. Doug left the department in 1963. He died of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Doug and his wife Mary have two children Laurie and Timothy.
Captain
Jim Barabash
Who died on April 15, 1995
North Vancouver, BC
Badge # 35
Age 48
Captain Jim Barabash was born on June 3, 1946 in Melville, Sask. Jim graduated from Gladstone High in Vancouver. In 1967 he joined the Vancouver Police Dept. In 1968, he left the police dept and moved to Kitimat where he began his career in the fire service with the Kitimat Fire Dept. In 1969 he returned to the lower mainland and joined the West Vancouver Fire Dept on July 16, 1970. Jim was promoted to Lieutenant on Sept 15, 1981 and appointed to Captain on Aug 1, 1987. Jim was still an active member when he died of cancer. Jim and his wife Diane have two children, Ashley and Brock.
Tom Fleming inherited Doug Clarkson's No. (12). The one and only time a No. was used twice
Captain
Thomas "Tom" Payne
Who died on August 27, 1997
West Vancouver, BC
Badge # 40
Age 52
Captain Tom Payne was born on November 14, 1945 in North Vancouver, B.C. Tom received his education at West Van High in West Vancouver. Prior to is employment with the West Vancouver Fire department Tom was working for Brentwood Dodge dealership. Tom served the West Vancouver Fire Department as a volunteer from June 1970 to December 1970 where he started as a career firefighter on December 1. Tom moved to fire prevention in 1977 where he remained for several years before returning to suppression. He was promoted to Lieutenant in February of 1982 and Captain on August 28, 1989. Tom was on active duty when he passed away suddenly at home of heart failure. Tom had one child Connor.
Fire Chief
Rex Chandler
Who died on March 24, 1999
North Vancouver, B.C.
Age 84
Fire Chief Rex Chandler was born August 9, 1914 in Vancouver and educated at Dorchester House School and Vancouver Tech. Rex started is firefighting career at the beginning of the Second World War at Vancouver Airport. He was in charge of the fire brigade in the overhaul and repair plant. In 1948 he was the assistant manager for Fleck Bros in Vancouver in the safety and first aid division. At the same time, he was a volunteer firefighter in the Ambleside area. In 1955 he became the Volunteer Chief for the same area. On April 1, 1969 at the age of 54, Rex was appointed the Fire Chief of the West Vancouver Fire Department replacing Flint McKim. He retired on January 31, 1978. He died of heart failure. Rex and his wife Frances have two children Wendy and Dale.
District Chief
Tom Fleming
Who died on February 22, 2003
Princeton, BC
Badge # 12
Age 68
District Chief Tom Fleming was born on November 2, 1934 in Burnaby, B.C. He received his education at Austin High in Coquitlam, B.C. After leaving school Tom joined the Princess Patricia Heavy Armor Infantry. Tom started with the West Vancouver Fire Department as a volunteer in 1959. He began as a career firefighter on December 16, 1963. Was promoted to Lieutenant on March 1, 1971 and Captain in Jan of 1973. He was appointed District Chief on August 29, 1989. Tom retired on December 31, 1992 after 33 years in the fire service. Tom died of cancer. He had two children Kevin and Garry.
District Chief
Robert 'Bob' Tocher
Who died on December 17, 2008
Parkesville, BC
Badge # 7
Age 78
Captain
Joe Callegari
Who died on January 12, 2009
Richmond, B.C.
Badge # 3
Age 82
Captain Joe Callegari was born on March 1, 1926 in Vancouver, B.C. Joe graduated from Vancouver Technical School in Vancouver. Joe served in World War 11 with the Canadian Air and Royal Engineers stationed in Chiliwack. After his military career he became manager of the Vancouver Press Club. On August 15, 1954 Joe joined the West Vancouver Fire Department being one of the original four hired. He was promoted to Lieutenant on January 1, 1966 and Captain on February 1, 1971. Joe retired on August 31, 1985. He died of heart failure. Joe and Isabel have two children Gail and Brian.
District Chief Bob Tocher was born on June 16, 1930 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He received his education at Pauline Johnson School and Inglewood High School in West Vancouver. Prior to joining the fire department, Bob worked in Forest Biology as an Entymologist. He started with the West Vancouver Fire Department on July 16, 1958, promoted to Lieutenant on February 6, 1967, Captain on February 1, 1971 and District Chief on November 1, 1982. After battling cancer for several years, he succumbed to it on December 16, 2008 in the Nanaimo Hospital. Bob had three children Greg, Diane and
F.D. Mechanic
Harold 'Buck" Jonvick
Who died on September 30, 2009
North Vancouver, BC
Badge # 15
Age 88
Harold “Buck” Jonvik was born on March 12, 1920 in Vancouver, B.C. He attended Laura Secord Elementary in Vancouver and later West Van High School. He was a veteran of the World War 11 serving in Sicily, Italy, France and Holland with the 101 Division Heavy Tank Corp. He also served in 1st Division Royal Canadian Electrical Engineer and Canadian Army Service Corp. In 1948, Buck began working as a mechanic for West Vancouver Municipality at the works yard and then moved to the West Vancouver Fire Department on April 28, 1968. He retired on January 31, 1982 serving the municipality for 34 years. He died of natural causes. Buck is survived by wife Elizabeth their two children Robert and Kristian.
Deputy Chief
Wallace (Wally) Galpin
Who died on APRIL 17, 2010
Bakersfield Cal. USA
Badge # 1
Age 83
District Chief Les Butler was born on October 22, 1922 in Port Rexton, Newfoundland. He received is Deputy Chief Wallace “Wally” Galpin was born on October 16, 1926 in North Vancouver, B.C. He attended Queen Mary Elementary and North Van High in North Vancouver. He was a veteran serving with the Royal Canadian Artillery Corp and the Canadian Technical Corp. Prior to joining the West Vancouver Fire Department Wally was a mechanic with the West Vancouver Transportation. He joined the West Vancouver Volunteer Fire Department from April 1949 to August 1954. On August 9, 1954 Wally became the first permanent firefighter hired receiving Badge #1. He was promoted to Captain on July 1, 1958 and Assistant Chief on January 1, 1965.On March 13, 1978 he was elevated to Deputy Chief, until his retirement on October 29, 1982. He served the West Vancouver Municipality for 37 years. He died of heart failure while on vacation in Bakersfield, California. Wally and Donna have two children Les and Nicki.
Fire Mechanic
Edward "Ted" Cannon
Who died on August 14, 2010
North Vancouver, BC
Badge # 98
Age 68
Edward “Ted” Cannon was born on November 24, 1941 in Hendon, England. He came to Canada when he was 10 years old. Graduated from McGee High School in Vancouver. He took courses in auto mechanic at BCIT in 1961, Cullen Detroit Diesel in 1973 and 1977 and supervisor courses at Capilano College in 1980. He was hired as a mechanic at the West Vancouver Municipal Works Department and then transferred to the West Vancouver Fire Department on August 25, 1981. He resigned in May of 1986. Ted died of cancer. Ted and his wife Birgit had three children Michelle, Tina and Ted jr.
Fire Fighter
Doug Johnson
Who died on June 7, 2014
Bowen Island, BC
Badge # 30
Age 65
Firefighter Doug Johnson was born on June 8, 1949 in Vancouver, B.C. He had his elementary education at Hollyburn School and went to West Van High. He joined the West Vancouver Fire Department on May 1, 1970 and resigned in 1975. He died on June 7, 2014 of a seizure.
District Chief
Glen Pedersen
Who died on October 07, 2014
North Vancouver, BC
Badge # 16
Age 71
District Chief Glen Pedersen was born on August 28, 1943 in North Vancouver. He received his education at Hollyburn Elementary School and West Van High School. Glen worked with his father in the family business 'TP Excavation'. Glen became a volunteer fire fighter in May 1964 and started with the permanent force on January 25, 1965. He was promoted to Lieutenant on May 1, 1972 and Senior Captain on September 1, 1985. On August 28, 1989 he was promoted to District Chief. He retired on January 30, 1998. Glen died in Lions Gate Hospital on October 7, 2014 after suffering a stroke. He is survived by his wife Carol and daughter Lisa.
Deputy Chief
Gerry McDowell
Who died on October 18, 2014
Saanich, BC
Badge # 5
Age 82
Deputy Chief Gerry McDowell was born in Vancouver, B.C. He went to school in Vancouver and later the family moved to West Vancouver where he attended West Van High. Prior to joining the West Vancouver Fire Department, he worked for the Ferris, Fisheries, Railways and with the District of West Vancouver in Engineering. He joined the West Vancouver Fire Department on August 4, 1955. He was first promoted to Lieutenant on January 1, 1966, Captain on February 1, 1971, District Chief on August 1, 1974, Assistant Chief October 1, 1983 and Deputy Chief on January 1, 1985.His career lasted 37 years with this department. He retired on April 30, 1992. He died in Saanich. Gerry left behind Florence and two children Coleen
District Chief
Leslie "Les" Butler
Who died on July 22, 2015
Roberts Creek, BC
Badge # 2
Age 93
District Chief Les Butler was born on October 22, 1922 in Port Rexton, Newfoundland. He received is education at Port Rexton School. He then joined the Navy in Newfoundland. After leaving the Navy, he moved to West Vancouver in 1948 joining the Horseshoe Bay Volunteers.
He joined the permanent force on August 15, 1954. He was promoted to Lieutenant on January 1, 1966 and District Chief on February 6, 1967. He retired on December 30, 1983. He died of natural causes. He is preceded in death by his wife Nora and children Eileen, Edna, Diane, Adele and Mark.