Close to 1,500 people, including more than 400 firefighters, gathered Saturday to honour fallen Cache Creek fire chief Clayton Cassidy.
Cassidy, 59, had served for more than 30 years on the Cache Creek Fire Department and spent more than a decade as chief. He was reported missing on the morning of May 5 after apparently being swept away by floodwater as he was checking rising water levels in washed out areas of the community. His body was found on May 27, and recovered on May 28.
The celebration of life began with a procession of family members and firefighters from the Cache Creek fire hall to the park.
91裸聊视频淲e are here to celebrate a life well-lived,91裸聊视频� said retired chaplain Ray Parker of Kamloops Fire Rescue as he conducted the service.
He quoted from John 15:13 91裸聊视频� 91裸聊视频淕reater love has no one than this: to lay down one91裸聊视频檚 life for one91裸聊视频檚 friends.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淐layton Cassidy was that sort of man,91裸聊视频� Park said. 91裸聊视频淎s a firefighter, he would run into those places we would run away from. His love of the fire service was second only to his love of his family and of the Village of Cache Creek.91裸聊视频�
Chief Ryan Day of the Bonaparte Indian Band said Cassidy was much honoured by the Bonaparte community.
91裸聊视频淎 well-loved, well-liked, cherished soul was taken into the water. These lands and these waters took him home to the spirit world to be with his ancestors. He watched over many of us in human form, in one place at one time. In spirit form he will be in all places at all times, and I know he is watching over us.91裸聊视频�
Cassidy91裸聊视频檚 brother, Patrick, a year younger, told stories about how he and Clayton had a special bond growing up, being the two middle children in the family: 91裸聊视频淐layton used to say to me 91裸聊视频業91裸聊视频檓 stuck in the middle with you.91裸聊视频� Clayton took on the role of looking after others, and he carried that compassion all his life.
91裸聊视频淗e was a man of integrity and honesty; hard-working. He loved his wife, his family, and his community, and he left us too soon.91裸聊视频�
Three cheers for Chief Cassidy
91裸聊视频� Kevin Macdonald (@kevinamacdonald)
B.C. fire commissioner Gordon Anderson was there on behalf of the province. 91裸聊视频�(Cassidy) made the ultimate sacrifice. He was there to protect his community, and the turnout today shows that Chief Cassidy was appreciated.91裸聊视频�
Longtime friend and Cache Creek councillor Wyatt McMurray, who spent many hours searching by helicopter for the missing fire chief, called Cassidy his best friend.
91裸聊视频淥n the morning of May 5, I got the call that I will never forget. The words 91裸聊视频楥layton is missing91裸聊视频� are words I91裸聊视频檒l never forget. Suddenly nothing seemed important except finding Clayton.
91裸聊视频淭he reaction of all the volunteers exemplifies small towns. People in Cache Creek and Ashcroft were trying to find one of our heroes, and never giving up.
91裸聊视频淐layton was one of those quiet heroes. He worked hard, looked after his family, tried to do the right thing. There are many quiet heroes in our communities, but Clayton took it to the highest level. He was a guy you could always count on. Clayton was always there.
91裸聊视频淗e was always game for everything that was up. We all send you our love. We91裸聊视频檝e lost a champion, an unsung hero, and a friend.91裸聊视频�
The chiefs boys are speaking now
91裸聊视频� Kevin Macdonald (@kevinamacdonald)
Cassidy91裸聊视频檚 three sons all spoke movingly about their father. Middle son Kevin, a member of Kamloops Fire Rescue, said his father would be 91裸聊视频渉umbled and speechless to see how many people are here to honour him.
91裸聊视频淚 wish I could find bigger words than 91裸聊视频榯hank you91裸聊视频� to express my and my family91裸聊视频檚 thanks for all those who spent thousands of hours looking for my dad.91裸聊视频� He singled out the fire departments of Cache Creek, Ashcroft, and Kamloops, as well as the search and rescue teams, emergency responders, and police who assisted with the search, with special thanks to Ashcroft fire chief Josh White and Ashcroft fire captain Jonah Anstett, who found his father on May 27.
91裸聊视频淔irst responders keep helping people, and finding people, as best we can.91裸聊视频�
Packed house for Chief Cassidy's funeral
91裸聊视频� Kevin Macdonald (@kevinamacdonald)
91裸聊视频淲e will remember him fondly, and with great respect,91裸聊视频� Parker said as he concluded the service. 91裸聊视频淲e are grateful and thankful for a life well-lived.91裸聊视频�
He then explained bells played a large part in the life of firefighters, signalling the call to duty and the end of an alarm.
When a firefighter dies in the line of duty, a bell is rung three times, three times each, to show that the firefighter has returned to quarters.
The bell was rung, and under the bright sunshine of a June day, Clayton Cassidy 91裸聊视频� a man of honour, integrity, compassion, and great love 91裸聊视频� was brought home and laid to rest.
