Newmarket and Aurora firefighters, dignitaries and residents will be out in force to mourn lost fire chief Ian Laing at a public funeral service on Tuesday, Dec. 12.
Central York Fire Services announced the public funeral for the longtime chief who passed away peacefully Nov. 30. A funeral procession of uniformed service members will begin at 12:30, travelling to the Ray Twinney Recreation Complex for a 1 p.m. funeral service.
In the meantime, the fire service area will be covered by nearby fire departments to allow Central York Fire Services members to attend the funeral.
“This is a testament to the fire service family which extends beyond borders,” the local fire department said in a news release.
The community has mourned the fire chief over the past week, with Newmarket council holding a moment in silence in its chambers Dec. 4. Laing had been fire chief since 2010, also serving as York Region’s fire co-ordinator since 2016.
“Chief Laing’s fire services peers will remember him for his love of running rescues, being on the auto extrication team and participating in competitions,” the fire service said. “Ian Laing truly loved the fire service.”
The public is advised to avoid travel on Eagle Street from Yonge Street to Crossland Gate that afternoon, with intermittent road closures from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
NewmarketToday will provide coverage of the event.
