Coaldale loses veteran fire captain
Co-workers pay tribute to Craig Wilson who passed recently
Along-time Coaldale firefighter passed away last month. Capt. Craig Wilson, who served 30 years with the Coaldale and District Emergency Services, passed away on Dec. 3, 2020 after a short battle with cancer.
“Captain Wilson was an honest, reliable and fun-loving person. He had a great sense of humour and always had a smile on his face. He was a great firefighter/captain and an exceptional leader to the Coaldale and District Emergency Services members,” said Coaldale
Fire Chief Kevin McKeown.
“Captain Craig Wilson was a people person who was very warm, welcoming to all with a great sense of humour a very devoted family man loved to spend time watching his kids grow up, he was the favorite Uncle with all the nieces and nephew he had a special bond with all kids,” said Gary Gettman, deputy chief of support services for the department.
“He was a devoted husband to his wife of 27 years to Judy, who works in Taber as a teacher.
Mr. Wilson was well known in the schools and with all students.”
Wilson had gown up in Taber, and started working there at Tri-Well Oil Field Construction alongside his brother David for a number of years, before getting a job at Intercontinental Truck Body in Coaldale with his older brother Randy. He moved to Coaldale during summer 1988, and met his wife Judy in 1990. They married in Hawaii in 1993, continuing to live in Coaldale, moving around town as the family grew.
Wilson joined the CDES in September 1990 and quickly moved up the ranks to become captain, and had remained a member until his passing.
“Volunteering to serve your community for 30 years is a tremendous achievement. The Town of Coaldale and Lethbridge County will forever be in his debt for the amount of time Capt. Wilson devoted to serving our communities,” said McKeown.
“Capt. Wilson, was one of the most dedicated firefighters we have ever had on our team. Capt. Wilson was the regular recipient of the annual Perfect Attendance award, which in itself is no easy feat.
“Also, he was a reliable responder during all hours of the day. He was a consistent responder during daytime work hours, which was a tremendous asset for our department.
“He was able to respond during the day because his employer (Intercontinental Truck Body) supported what Capt. Wilson was doing in serving his community members in their time of need.
“That speaks to the level of dedication displayed by Capt. Wilson in the performance of his duties.”
“Craig was very active in the department training new members donating countless hours to the Coaldale And District Volunteers Firefighters Association at many fundraiser
BBQs, toy drives and other events too many to mention. Craig also spent many weekends helping with training classes, teaching new members from the region the proper and safe way to engage in fire fighting duties,” said Gettman.
“One of Craig’s most prestigious memories was going to the Kenow fire in Waterton National Park and being assigned a crew along side Calgary to protect the Prince of Wales Hotel. After a very intense battle they were successful in saving the historic landmark hotel.
“To make this possible Craig without hesitation took a week of his annual holidays to go and protect the park in hope of future generations to enjoy.”
Over the years, Wilson had received awards for firefighting. In addition to the department’s Perfect Attendance award, the Alberta
Emergency Services Medal after serving 12 years, a bar for 22 years respectfully by the Alberta Lieutenant-Governor, and the Federal Fire Service Exemplary Services Medal for 20 years of service to his country and people as a firefighter.
On Nov. 11, 2020, Wilson was diagnosed with Lung Cancer that metastasized to his liver. He continued to train with the department three weeks before his death.
McKeown said they were fortunate enough to be able to present present him with his 30-year service award — a custom-painted fire helmet that depicted the Kenow Wildfire on one side and a picture of Wilson fighting a grass fire on the other side — before his passing.
The department was also able to hold a driveby parade with all their fire trucks so he could hear and see it all one last time, which he livestreamed from his bed.
Outside of the department, Wilson enjoyed spending time with friends and family, and was known to never miss a family event.
“From a young age Craig was involved with his kids helping with school field trips, swimming lessons, elementary school sports junior high school sports and high school sports.
A highlight was going with his son Laine to the provincial basket ball tournament in Le Crete in Northern Alberta. Watching and encouraging his younger son Hayden to join and keep going in the sport of Tae Kwando as he progressed through the belt colours and achieving his black belt,” said Gettman.
“He enjoyed watching his sons participate in their chosen sports as a number one supporter, cheering them on over the years as they developed their skills individually and as team players.
“He loved being outside especially camping and mountain biking, every long weekend and two weeks in the summer he could be found in the Fernie/Sparwood area enjoying the great camping opportunities with family and friends. He loved sitting around the campfires, drinking a Bud Light and telling stories and laughing at all the crazy things we did over the years. Craig also enjoyed fly fishing when he could find the time wandering along a river or creek for hours looking for the next hot spot to hook the big one.”
Due to COVID-19 public health restrictions, a celebration of Wilson’s life will be held at a future date.
“Captain Wilson deserves a proper fire department send-off for his 30 years of dedication and sacrifice to the Coaldale and District Emergency Services,” said McKeown. “We will all dearly miss Captain Wilson, he was an amazing person, and we will never forget what he gave to our department. Coaldale and District Emergency Services will be retiring Captain Wilson’s number and honouring him in the new Antique Display bay in the new firehall.”