CT fire companies mourn firefighter who died after battle with cancer

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A New Haven firefighter has died following a battle with cancer, city officials said.

Christopher Brainard of the New Haven Fire Department died this week, according to the Mayor’s Office . He was 36 years old.

Brainard was appointed to the fire department on July 24, 2015, the Mayor’s Office said.

“He proudly served as the driver of Truck Company 2 based in the Hill section of the city — an assignment he embraced and performed with distinction over his 10 years of service at the department,” the Mayor’s Office wrote in a statement.

“The passing of Firefighter Brainard is a heartbreaking and tragic loss for the city of New Haven and the New Haven Fire Department — especially for his fellow firefighters at the Hill Station and the Braina