Fire fighter Chris Lowe remembered as “bright, shining light”

November 22, 2017 · 0 Comments

By Brock Weir

Flags across Aurora and Newmarket were lowered last week in honour of active firefighter Chris Lowe, who died last Friday, November 17, while off duty.
Lowe joined the Central York Fire Services team on March 7, 2016 and was assigned to C Platoon at Fire Station 4-3 on Edward Street.
“We are saddened by the unexpected passing of Central York Fire Services Firefighter Chris Lowe,” said Fire Chief Ian Laing in a statement. “Chris dedicated his time to proudly protecting the communities of Aurora and Newmarket with CYFS. He will be greatly missed by his many friends at Central York Fire Services and at his former Fire Department in the Town of the Blue Mountains. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”
In a tribute published by his family, the Meaford native was hailed as a “dreamer with a drive to be better every day.”
“Chris lived his life for others,” they said. “He was a fierce friend always ready to stand up for those who couldn’t stand up for themselves. He could be counted on to help with any kind of favour, and he would smile as he did it. He believed in community and taking care of his friends, neighbours and those in need. To Chris, his friends were the family he chose.”
Lowe’s career as a firefighter began with the Blue Mountains Fire Department before joining the CYFS, which serves both Aurora and Newmarket where he was named valedictorian of the class by his fellow recruits.
“Chris was proud of his career in service, of his opportunity to protect communities,” they continued. “He was equally proud of his wife, Becky, as he stood by her side during her own recent graduation this October. He was her biggest fan, and was there to smile wide and cheer her on as she started her new career with a job at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre and at Clarksburg Medical Group. Together, Chris and Becky were inspirational, as parents, as a couple, and as friends always there to listen, love and be the warmest of hosts.
“Chris was incredibly talented, and often worked to restore and repair boats for his friends. Of course, Chris always used his talents to help others and to bring joy to his wife and daughters. His home was always open and his heart always warm. Now, in this loss, there are many who come forward to claim Chris as their brother – because that’s how he made them feel: close, loved, family. He inspired happiness and camaraderie in others. Chris was one of the good guys: a gentleman, a kind-hearted soul, a best friend, a doting husband, a daughter’s hero.
“Losing Chris is a deep and tragic loss. His life was a bright shining light in his community and beyond. Though the days are dark now, we hold tight to the memory of our awesome Chris Lowe, and we count ourselves blessed to have shared 37 years with him.”