Roger Esson, a 19-year veteran at the Trent Hills Fire Department and a captain at the Hastings Fire Hall, was someone described by his colleagues as not the most vocal in the room, but who led by example.
“If you went to a fire call, no matter if it was a day like today or minus 40, he was the first guy in to do the job,” said Tim Blake, fire chief.
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Esson died Friday when the milk truck he was driving collided with another transport on the 401, near Trenton.
He was 47 years old.
“It’s a tough loss. He will never be replaced. We have 74, they are all different. He was different. He will never be replaced,” said Blake.
Esson died two days before the annual Canada Day fireworks show in Hastings, which he organized along with his wife, Michelle.
A moment of silence was held before the show on Sunday night, and the show itself was dedicated to his memory.
“I know on Friday morning, I was talking to a nephew, he said he was so happy on Thursday night because it was all ready. He was looking forward to one last shift and he had a week off,” said Bob Crate, mayor of Trent Hills. “It’s sad.”
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A funeral will be held at the Brett Funeral Chapel in Hastings on Wednesday.
Following the service, the fire department will lead a procession from the chapel to the Trent Valley Cemetery.
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