A longtime professional firefighter in Wallaceburg and Chatham-Kent has died.
Guy Deschenes died suddenly in Wallaceburg on Tuesday at the age of 57.
Deschenes is survived by his wife Janet and was the loving father of Joe, Amanda and the late David. He will also be missed by his grandchildren Jeffrey and Sophia, his brothers and sisters and many other relatives and friends.
For over 25 years, Deschenes was a professional firefighter with the Town of Wallaceburg and Chatham-Kent, and was most recently a fire inspector for the department.
Bill Wolsing, a professional firefighter in Wallaceburg, told the Sydenham Current that Deschenes will be dearly missed.
“Guy was one of kind, loved the outdoors, wildlife, and his family, Harley rides all over North America with his wife Janet or close friends,” Wolsing said.
“He was really into forestry, knew a ton about self survival and wouldn’t think twice to grab his self-built beautiful canoe or hike somewhere, make a bed of some sort to sleep in the woods under the stars.”
Wolsing said when he was hired as a full-time firefighter, Deschenes was a great mentor.
“Eventually he worked in prevention and did a great job there too,” he said.
“There were a few challenges he faced health wise, but he always plowed through them with optimism and never complained. He loved a good debate on subjects and would look at things from a different perspective with an open mind.”
Wolsing added: “He’d stop by for visit once in while to say hello, when we didn’t see each other for a while and just talk about current events. He’ll be missed by all of us and always remembered.”
Deschenes’ visitation will be held at the Haycock Cavanagh Funeral Home in Wallaceburg from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, September 29.
Parish prayers will be held at 3:45 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.
His funeral will be celebrated at Our Lady Help of Christians Church on Friday, September 30 at 2 p.m.
Interment will follow at Riverview Cemetery.
The funeral home is accepting donations in memory of Deschenes for the Kidney Foundation or the War Amps.
Online tributes may be left at www.CavanaghFuneralHome.ca.
– Photo credit: Chatham-Kent Fire Department
