Passing of Retired Member John Finley

Peacefully, surrounded by his family on Sunday May 18th, 2025.

Husband of Mira. Father of Ashley (Maciek) and Jay (Abigail). Loving Pops to his four grandchildren. Beloved son of the late Jack and Lorna Finley. Cherished son-in-law of Ivan and Lily Chuvalo. He will be sadly missed by his brothers and sisters Ron (Lilly), Barb (Stan), Kathy (Vince), Lois (Bill), Ken (Dawn), Jasna (Mike), Tony (Tracey), Genny, Ivana (Robert), Viktor and by his many nieces and nephews.

John is lovingly remembered by his extended family and many friends.

Visitation will be held at the OSHAWA FUNERAL HOME, 847 King Street West on Friday May 23rd from 4 – 8 p.m. Prayers at 4:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary of the People Parish (570 Marion Ave. Oshawa) on Saturday May 24th at 11:30 a.m. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Vincent de Paul – St Mary of the People Parish, Oshawa.

Source: John Finley Obituary – Oshawa, ON

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Passing of retired member Allan Terwillegar

Allan Terwilleger was a loving father, dedicated husband and selfless firefighter with 30 years service to the people of Oshawa. It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Allan on April 26, 2025, at the age of 82. He died peacefully in his sleep in the supportive care unit at Lakeridge Health Oshawa after a long battle with cancer. Allan was the dearly beloved husband of Helen (nee Higgins) and devoted father of Jill and Paul (both deceased). Helen, Jill and Paul meant more to him than anything else in this world. Predeceased by his parents Margaret and Archie, and siblings Eileen, Peg, Donna, Gloria, Fran, Archie, Ralph, Don and Judd. He is survived by his sisters Kaye and Jean. He will be deeply missed by close family Ann Higgins (Graham Rockingham), Barb Way (the late Angus), the late Gregory Higgins (Donna) and their families as well as many dear friends who were so much a part of his life throughout the years. Allan served with dedication on the Oshawa Fire Department for 30 years, retiring as a Captain in 1995. During retirement he and his wife Helen enjoyed many trips overseas including a Pilgrimage to Spain where he served mass at one of the local churches. A fan of the Leafs, Blue Jays and Argos, Allan enjoyed skiing, golfing and biking. He was active in his community, delivering Meals on Wheels for 15 years as well as offering his time to several other charitable activities in the area. A lifelong resident of Oshawa, Allan loved to learn of its history and was always interested in listening to the stories of those he met. He was a truly gentle soul, as well as a devout Catholic, serving as an alter boy daily, and at the first midnight mass at St. Gertrude’s church. Family and friends are invited for a short visitation at McINTOSH-ANDERSON-KELLAM FUNERAL HOME LTD., 152 King St. E., Oshawa (905-433-5558), on Friday, May 2, 2025, from 1p.m. to 2p.m., followed by a Mass at St. Gertrude’s Catholic Church, 690 King St. E., Oshawa, at 3 p.m. Following Mass, guests are invited to a reception in the Church Hall. Interment will take place at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, Whitby, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society are welcomed.

Source: Obituary Listings | McIntosh-Anderson-Kellam Funeral Home

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2025 Retirees Luncheon – Save the Date!

,

Save the date,

2025 Retirees Luncheon

Wednesday May 21, 2025

11am-2pm

Courtyard By Marriott

1011 Bloor St E, Oshawa.

Details to follow.

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Passing of Retired member Robert Amey

Robert James Amey

7 February, 1938 – 30 October, 2024
IN THE CARE OF

Oshawa Funeral Home

AMEY, Robert James (Bob)

(Retired Oshawa Firefighter)

Suddenly at his residence on Wednesday October 30, 2024 at 86 years of age. Cherished father of Melissa (John) and Rob (Josie). Loving grandad of Michael, Amanda (Kyle), Kaitlynne (Dan) and Nicole (Ryan). Great grandfather of Aubree, Lincoln, Ellie and Dawson. He will be sadly missed by his furbaby Lily. Dear son of the late Albert and Angela Amey. Survived by his sisters Judy and Elizabeth, predeceased by his sister Dorothy. Bob will be lovingly remembered by his extended family and many friends.

He worked for the Oshawa Fire Department for 35 years. Bob worked alongside his dad Bert at the family restaurant The Jolly Friar. He started the family dairy distribution business with his father in 1977 and continued to work side by side with his son Rob, until his death.

Visitation will be held at the OSHAWA FUNERAL HOME, 847 King Street West on Thursday November 7th from 5 – 8 p.m. Funeral Service will be in the chapel on Friday November 8th at 1:30 p.m. Cremation to follow. Memorial donations to the charity of your choice would be appreciated. On line condolences may be made at www.oshawafuneralhome.com

Source: Robert Amey Obituary – Oshawa, ON

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Oshawa Fire Movember Merch ON SALE until October 11th!

As we gear up for Movember, the Oshawa Firefighters Benevolent Committee is calling on all of you to help raise funds and awareness for men’s health. Movember focuses on key issues that directly impact the men we work with every day: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention.

 

This year, in addition to growing those mustaches, we’ve put together some great merchandise with proceeds from the sales that will go directly to supporting Movember’s initiatives. You can check out the selection here: Home | IAFF 465 Oshawa Professional Fire Fighters Fundraiser (inksoft.com)

 

Sales will end in 9 days on Friday October 11, 2024 at 11:59 pm. Orders will be available for pick up at Fire Station No. 3 during the First Week of November.

 

Let’s rally together for this great cause and show our commitment to supporting men’s health. 

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IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial on YouTube @ 12pm Today

The 2024 IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial is being broadcasted on YouTube today at 12pm.

Link: 2024 Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial (youtube.com)

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FILL THE BOOT, AUG 30 @ OSHAWA CENTRE

Join Oshawa Firefighters for the 2024 MD Canada Fill the Boot campaign. We will be at the entrances of the Oshawa Centre, 419 King St W, Oshawa from 9am – 9pm, come on out and say hi!

We will be accepting cash, e-transfer ([email protected]) and tap ($5 & $10 increment) donations.

Thank you for your support!

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Gordie Kirkpatrick Funeral Tues June 25, 2024

The Funeral Details for are dear friend Gordie Kirkpatrick are as follows:

Visitation:
Tuesday June 25, 2024
9am – 12pm
Thornton Cemetery Funeral Centre
1200 Thornton Rd N, Oshawa, ON
(Enter off Dryden Blvd)

Memorial:
Tuesday June 25, 2024
12pm with reception to follow
Thornton Cemetery Funeral Centre
1200 Thornton Rd N, Oshawa, ON
(Enter off Dryden Blvd)

Inurnment
Tuesday June 25, 2024
2:45pm (Following reception)
Union Cemetery
760 King St W, Oshawa, ON

All Fire Service members are encouraged to attend wearing blue collar shirt, tunic (no medals), tie & hat

Any questions please contact EA Carson Ryan 905-260-2626.

(Photo credit: Colin Williamson)

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Retirees Lunch May 22, 2024

Wednesday May 22, 2024

11am-2pm

Courtyard by Marriott

1011 Bloor St E, Oshawa

 

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Ontario’s Budget Day

TO ALL OPFFA LOCALS:

Today Zone 3 Director Dan Vanderlelie and I visited Queen’s Park to be present as the Minister of Finance moved the motion to approve the budget.

This budget includes a 30 million dollar funding commitment over three years to be invested in fire equipment; ensuring firefighters have the necessary equipment to do their job.

Protecting the Health and Safety of Firefighters

The government is committed to keeping communities safe and supporting the province’s firefighters. Firefighters are more likely to experience health problems because of exposure to hazardous chemicals. To keep first responders and Ontario’s communities safe, fire departments need resources to ensure they have the right infrastructure and protective equipment.

 This is why the government is investing $30 million over the next three years to launch the Fire Protection Grant. This application‐based grant will provide municipal fire departments, including those in small and rural communities, with funding for personal protective equipment and specialized decontamination tools to clean and sanitize firefighter gear and mitigate the long‐term effects of exposure to chemicals and other fire‐related contaminants.

 The Fire Protection Grant will support departments by ensuring they have the right infrastructure and protective equipment to respond to local needs and that they may do so safely and more effectively.

The government is also moving forward and implementing simultaneous notification in Halton and has committed to developing a technological solution to enable the uptake of simultaneous notification province-wide.

Improving Response Times for First Responders

The government will continue working to enable seamless communication between fire and paramedic dispatch systems across the province. This technology will enable municipalities with tiered response agreements to implement simultaneous notification between their fire and paramedic services. This will facilitate faster response times, drive better patient outcomes and enhance Ontario’s public safety response model for the people of this province. The government is working to ensure that simultaneous notification between fire and paramedic services is operational in the near future in Halton Region, while working on provincial implementation.

Congratulations to all OPFFA members.  Today marks a culmination of hard work, dedication, and perseverance!

We truly are stronger together.

In Solidarity,

Greg Horton, President

Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association

[email protected]

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