Firefighters and first responders from across the province gathered in Kelowna on Friday to honour the late Fire Capt. Joe Kolar.

Highly regarded by his peers, Kolar died of lung cancer on Oct. 31, which was caused by nearly 30 years as a firefighter. A public procession and a line of duty death ceremony was held at Tinity Baptist Church to mark his passing.

sa国际传媒淭he death of a firefighter is a community event, as well as a family event and we feel your pain and as a community we stand with you in that,sa国际传媒� said Phil Collins, the fire departmentsa国际传媒檚 chaplain.

During the funeral, Kolarsa国际传媒檚 family received the Martin E. Pierce commemorative line-of-duty death medal, service medals, a flag, his fire helmet, and his uniform cap.

Kelowna Fire Departmentsa国际传媒檚 Chief Travis Whiting and Local 0953 president Troy Mamchur both spoke at the ceremony, before friends and family gave a tribute to the late firefighter.

sa国际传媒淗e was regarded as a great firefighter, a great listener, a great teammate, a great captain, and a great leader,sa国际传媒� said Whiting.

sa国际传媒淛oe was a captain, and a good one. He was a positive leader that made those around him better. We trade no firefighter. Wesa国际传媒檙e down one and we refuse to lose another one. Letsa国际传媒檚 celebrate Joe and letsa国际传媒檚 use his positive approach as inspiration, as commitment to fitness, to training sa国际传媒� letsa国际传媒檚 honour Joe by committing to keeping each other safe.sa国际传媒�

Mamchur echoed his colleagues words.

sa国际传媒淛oe was one of those people that many of us went to for advice. He always seemed wise beyond his years sa国际传媒� I think his parenting advice is golden,sa国际传媒� said Mamchur.

Kolar started working with the Kelowna Fire Department in 1991 before moving to a career position with the department in 1999. He was promoted as captain in July 2018. He was a member of the technical rescue team, specializing in tower and freight rescue, as well as water and confined space rescue.

Kolarsa国际传媒檚 daughters Ashley and Taylor also wrote a tribute to honour their father.

sa国际传媒淲e are so proud to have been raised by such a special man,sa国际传媒� Taylor read.

sa国际传媒淲e may be biased but we think Joe had it all: handsome guy, cool nickname, healthy marriage, healthy relationships with his kids, a career that truly gave him purpose, a community of supportive brothers through all of lifesa国际传媒檚 trials and tribulations, and more kindness and love packed into a man than any of us will comprehend.sa国际传媒�

Kolar is survived by his wife Lisa, daughters Ashley and Taylor, son-in-law Brock and grandson.

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twila.amato@blackpress.ca
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