Craig Bowman was a leader, a colleague, a friend and a mentor willing to share his knowledge of firefighting.

His passion for the job was unmatched and contagious, his fellow Welland Fire and Emergency Services firefighters told city councillors Tuesday.

“He didn’t just do the job; he lived the job,” said acting Capt. Adam Whalen. “But he knew how to turn it off when he had to, so he could go home and be a good husband and father to his kids. Craig genuinely cared for the well-being of everyone around him — his co-workers, his family, the community and everyone he met.”

Bowman, known as “Opie” by his colleagues, died in May 2023 of esophageal cancer — a disease he developed in the line of duty — after being diagnosed the year before. He was 47.

Bowman was a Welland firefighter for 20 y

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