Mesothelioma kills Canadian firefighter
Rex Heath died of mesothelioma on December 26 at the age of 61. He was a veteran of Pickering Fire Services in Canada for 40 years, and he received a full departmental funeral after what was considered a line-of-duty death. Heath had joined the fire department in 1968 as a volunteer, and his career ended as the chief fire prevention officer. He conducted fire investigations and established an arson prevention program for children. Hundreds of people showed up for his funeral on December 30, including nearly 100 firefighters.
Heath was diagnosed with mesothelioma two years ago, the day before his daughter told him that she was pregnant with his first grandchild. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was widely used in construction materials for fireproofing and insulation for many years. Firefighters can be exposed to asbestos fibers that become airborne when these older structures catch fire. Heath had been told that the cancer had spread last summer, and he was rushed to the hospital on the morning before Christmas. His family remained with him for the last two days of his life.
For the full story, go to News Durham Region.
