Stay informed with the LNN Daily Newsletter

Veteran firefighter left lasting legacy

Dec 23, 2016 | 10:10 AM

LETHBRIDGE – John Wagontall left a legacy that will last long after his passing.

The veteran Lethbridge firefighter died Sunday, Dec. 18, several years after a prostate cancer diagnosis that was directly connected to his profession. Rather than lie down, Wagontall embarked on a nearly 8,000 km bicycle ride across Canada for awareness.

“He inspired me personally in many ways,” Lethbridge fire chief Richard Hildebrand said Friday, the morning of Wagontall’s funeral. Hildebrand said they didn’t work together directly a lot, but he got to know him better afterwards.

“He was such a fighter. He didn’t for a moment retreat in his battle with cancer. And he didn’t for a moment curl up and retreat and shy away from discussing this. In fact he used his cancer as a motivating force.”

Drew Ginther, the local head of the firefighters union, said firefighters are better protected now because of his efforts.

“John was instrumental in helping prostate cancer become one of our presumptive workplace illnesses,” Ginther explained. “So it’s a huge loss.”

Hildebrand said there is a much greater awareness of the toxins that can affect the health of working firefighters. As a result, they wear better protective gear, which is regularly cleaned, and get yearly medical checkups.