Firefighters and officials from across Newmarket and the province honoured and celebrated the life of Central York Fire Service chief Ian Laing today.
Hundreds attended the public funeral service for the chief, who passed away peacefully Nov. 30 at the age of 71. Held at the Ray Twinney Recreation Complex, the ceremony featured hundreds of firefighters marching along Yonge Street as part of the funeral service, with firetrucks lining the street leading into the complex.
Newmarket Mayor John Taylor described Laing as a friendly person, always smiling.
“You will be missed by many people and your community. Your smile will be with us always,” Taylor said.
Laing had a long record of service in fire services and garnered connections across the province in his roles. After serving for the City of Mississauga’s fire service for decades, he joined Central York Fire Services in 2010. He would go on to be appointed York Region’s fire co-ordinator in 2016. In total, he was part of fire services for 48 years.
Taylor said it was a figure he could barely get his mind around.
“Forty-eight years of personal sacrifice and personal risk for the benefit of all,” Taylor said. “He was truly our chief.”
Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas said Laing was proud of the new fire station 4-5, opened in 2022. Mrakas said it would be named in Laing’s honour.
“Chief Laing’s passing is undoubtedly an enormous loss for our entire community. We have lost a true leader, a courageous public servant whose mission was to protect and save lives,” Mrakas said. “We reflect on just how lucky all of us were to know Chief Laing.”
Ontario fire marshal Jon Pegg described how Laing was a king of “zingers” and loved to give people humourous shouts as they left.
But he further said Laing demonstrated leadership and incredible commitment.
Laing “was not afraid to respectfully question or challenge if something did not seem right or just,” Pegg said. “We will always be grateful for the impact he had on Ontario.”
Premier Doug Ford attended and spoke, sharing his condolences.
“I didn’t have the privilege of knowing Chief Laing, but it’s clear from the stories I’ve heard, from the outpouring of tributes, he was loved and respected by many people,” Ford said. “His life for firefighting was indisputable. It was his passion. It was his life.”
Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs president Rob Grimwood said he was more than a chief, but also an “embodiment of courage, resilience and selflessness.
“May Chief Laing rest in peace, surrounded by the eternal gratitude of the communities he faithfully served.”
More photographs and coverage to come.
