Flags have been lowered at all city facilities and will remain so until May 31 to honour and remember Captain Craig Bowman of the Welland Fire Department. Bowman died during the weekend after a fight with an occupational illness, according to a news release from the department.
Bowman started his fire service journey in Thorold and joined the Welland Fire Department as a full-time firefighter in 2002. Rising to the rank of captain, he was a natural leader and built many strong relationships, always looking out for others, the release said. Even as he fought cancer, he focused on protecting others from the risks of the unrelenting illness. He was kind and caring and turned strangers into friends everywhere he went, the release added.
Welland Fire will honour Bowman with a visitation scheduled for May 29 and service on May 30.
Although not yet recognized as a Line of Duty Death, Welland Fire plans to hold a full LODD service and funeral.
