[ad_1]“What makes this project especially remarkable is how various stakeholders came together to make it happen. More than $500,000 was donated from the private sector to help create this memorial and public space. That level of support says a lot about this community and how deeply it respects its firefighters and the service and sacrifice represented here.” - Barry Katzman, Chair of the Fallen Firefighters Memorial Task ForceNews from the City of St. Catharines in Niagara, Ontario Posted September 30th, 2026 on Niagara At LargeA new memorial dedicated to firefighters who have lost their lives while on duty is now open at a parkette in Downtown St. Catharines.City officials, members of the Fallen Firefighters Memorial Task Force, representatives from the St. Catharines Professional Firefighters Association, and others gathered on Tuesday, September 29 to unveil the St. Catharines Fallen Firefighters Memorial to the public and celebrate this significant project. “Today, we honour our fallen firefighters as they deserve to be honoured: at a memorial built by the community they gave everything to protect,” said Fire Chief Dave Upper. “The Fallen Firefighters Memorial is a space where we can pause, say thank you and pay our respects. For our fallen members and the families of those we’ve lost, it’s a place where their sacrifices will never be forgotten. The Fallen Firefighters Memorial is situated at the intersection of Race and Carlisle streets near the First Ontario Performing Arts Centre. It pays tribute to members of St. Catharines Fire Services who died while serving or due to job-related illnesses. The memorial also recognizes volunteer firefighters who passed away while serving in various wards and townships before the establishment of the St. Catharines Professional Firefighters Association Local 485 in 1919.A gathering at the opening ceremony for the memorial. Photo courtesy of the City of St. Catharines The memorial includes bronze statues representing male and female firefighters along with a granite wall displaying bronze plaques featuring names of fallen firefighters. Additional elements include flag poles, custom metal signage, fire hydrant bollards, trees with landscaping features, benches, and a large concrete pad marked with a Maltese Cross. The City’s Fallen Firefighters Memorial Task Force worked alongside CFC Supply for both design and installation of this monument. The task force also selected this site for its location and led an extensive donor campaign that raised $400,000 needed for completing this initiative. “This Fallen Firefighters Memorial started with a conversation more than a decade ago, and to finally stand here and see it completed is incredibly meaningful,” said Barry Katzman, chair of the task force. “I’ve been honoured to work alongside so many people who stayed committed to making sure our lost firefighters are remembered properly while enriching our community with such a beautiful park space. This will belong to St. Catharines for generations.” “What makes this project especially remarkable is how various stakeholders came together to make it happen. More than $500,000 was donated from the private sector to help create this memorial and public space. That level of support says a lot about this community and how deeply it respects its firefighters and their service.” The St. Catharines Professional Firefighters Association Local 485 proudly contributed as one of its first major donors giving $50,000 towards fundraising efforts while having members participate on the task force. “On behalf of our executive board along with all our members I’d like to express deep appreciation toward Mayor and City Council as well as task force chair Barry Katzman plus all committee members who've joined us in creating this fitting tribute for those who've made ultimate sacrifices protecting citizens,” said Ryan Madill, Association president. “We’re also very thankful for all donors whose generosity helped bring forth this memorial into reality-everyone's contributions have created an enduring tribute honoring those who served so selflessly.” NIAGARA AT LARGE encourages you to share your thoughts about this post below after Bernie Sanders' quote by sharing www. niagaraatlarge. com with your friends too! “A Politician Thinks Of The Next Election. A Leader Thinks Of The Next Generation.” - Bernie Sanders -Share this: Niagara At Large at wwwlniagaraatlarge. comRelated[ad_2]Source link
