Local fire chief dies of cancer

Condolences are coming into the St. Catharines fire department from across Ontario following the death of their Chief Mark Mehlenbacher. Mehlenbacher was a passionate advocate for fire safety. It was the dangerous hazards he encountered battling those fires that eventually took his life.

Ask anyone at the St. Catharines fire department about their Chief Mark Mehlenbacher and they’ll tell you he was a friend who treated them like family.

Mike Vail, Firefighters’ union: “He really looked out for the guys. His whole intent was to be the best department around. He stuck for that right to the very end.”

Mark Mehlenbacher passed away this morning. after a fairly long battle with a work related cancer. Even though he wasn’t well he was still on the job up until two weeks ago.

Larry Jones, Deputy Chief: “The odd time the platoon chiefs would have to say hey chief slow down you don’t have to put out this fire. We’ll do that for you. You just be in charge.”

Mehlenbacher was brought to St. Catharines six years ago to repair what was then a bad relationship between the brass and rank and file. It was his sense and humour and kind nature that people remember.

Larry Jones: “He was a person who always had a smile on his face. Always enjoyed being around people. That’s what he was noted for.”

Dave Wood, acting Fire Chief: “I’ll always remember him as a guy who didn’t take things too seriously. he put things into perspective.”

Welland Fire Chief Denys Prevost: “He was a wonderful person. such a passion for the fire service.”

For Mark Mehlenbacher, the protection and safety of the public was his number one priority. He had no patience for people who would flout the fire code. Especially landlords who refused to install working smoke detectors and resident who wilfully disabled them.

What will the Welland fire chief miss most about Mark?

Chief Prevost: “His laugh. Mark had such a good sense of humour.”

Mark Mehlenbacher was a director in the fire chiefs association. He had been chief in Ancaster and deputy in Burlington before coming to St. Catharines. Flags across Niagara region are at half staff. Condolences are coming in from all over.

Dave Wood: “They miss Mark. They miss his positive outlook on things. And he’s going to be sadly missed, sadly missed.”

Visitation will be held Monday and Tuesday at the Dodsworth and Brown Funeral Home in Ancaster followed by a full firefighters funeral at the Ancaster Fairgrounds on Wednesday afternoon.