{"id":9984,"date":"2019-03-25T14:55:32","date_gmt":"2019-03-25T17:55:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelaker.ca\/?p=9984"},"modified":"2019-03-25T14:55:32","modified_gmt":"2019-03-25T17:55:32","slug":"i-could-see-the-spark-firefighter-skyler-blackie-remembered","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/?p=9984","title":{"rendered":"“I could see the spark.” Firefighter Skyler Blackie remembered"},"content":{"rendered":"

WAVERLEY: <\/strong>Skyler Blackie is being remembered as a young, eager and up-and-coming firefighter by his former colleagues at Station 45 in Fall River and friends he met when he became a career firefighter in Truro.<\/p>\n

Blackie passed away March 20 as a result of his injuries from a training incident on March 9. It occurred at the N.S. Fire School in Waverley. Skyler had signed up to be an organ donor, so as his obituary says \u201chis legacy and strength will live on in others.\u201d<\/p>\n

A regimental funeral service in Skyler\u2019s memory is scheduled for March 30, at Colchester Legion Stadium in Truro.<\/p>\n

Stephanie Pentland, a volunteer at Station 45 in Fall River, has fond memories of Skyler.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy son Kieran was a shy kid and was going to WJCC when Skyler was there,\u201d said Pentland. \u201cKieran wouldn\u2019t get out the car. Everyday he was crying.<\/p>\n

\u201cSkyler would wait for me to show up and put Kieran on his back and piggy back him around. When I showed up to get him at the end of the day, Skyler still had him on his back.\u201d<\/p>\n

He had left a lasting impression on Kieran, one Pentland wants Skyler\u2019s parents to know.<\/p>\n

\u201cKieran would say \u2018Mom, Skyler is my best friend,\u2019\u201d she said. \u201cThose are the things as a parent I want his parents to know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"
The hearse carrying Skyler Blackie’s remains is saluted. (Raissa Tetanish Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Town of Truro made a post on their Facebook Page on March 20 saying Skyler will be missed by all who he touched.<\/p>\n

\u201cTruro has lost a young, outgoing, charismatic man who will be missed deeply by his wife, his family, his family of firefighters, his friends and co-workers,\u201d the post said.<\/p>\n

Scott Squires of Truro said he didn\u2019t know Blackie very long.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe impression he left with me will last the rest of my life,\u201d said Squires in a tweet. \u201cHe always took time to say hello and he was so excited and thrilled to be a firefighter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel MacKenzie of Fall River remembers when he was a Junior Leader and camper at the Windsor Junction Community Centre, and Skyler was a counsellor there.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was always one of everyone\u2019s favourite among parents and kids,\u201d said MacKenzie. \u201cA memory of mine that I will never forget was when \u201cI Kissed a Girl\u201d by Katy Perry first came out and it was on the radio. Skyler was the first one and the loudest to start singing it.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was the funniest guy around when it came to pulling pranks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"
Skyler Blackie. (Submitted photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In his time as a lifeguard at the WJCC, his and his fellow lifeguards were recognized for their efforts in a fatal medical emergency in 2008. They were recognized by the Nova Scotia House of Assembly for showing remarkable organization, courage, and skill.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are heartbroken for his family and friends over this tragic loss,\u201d the WJCC posted on their FB page on March 21.<\/p>\n

In his obituary, it says he was born in Kingston, Ont., and graduated from Lockview High in 2009. He was a certified life guard and received a medal for his life saving efforts. He began his career as a firefighter with Truro Fire Service on October 1, 2013.<\/p>\n

Blackie, 28, was \u201ccharismatic, funny, outgoing and a kind individual who touched everybody\u2019s heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs lead of the charitable committee for the fire hall, he generously shared his efforts to raise awareness and funds for Breast Cancer and Prostate Cancer, participating yearly in \u201cMovember,\u201d the obituary said. \u201cAlthough Skyler had a passion for firefighting and fitness, his passion and love for Erin and building a life with her was immeasurable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Skyler\u2019s K9 companion, Bella, held a special place in his heart.<\/p>\n

In a statement issued by Jessica Gillis, Skyler\u2019s sister on behalf of the family, they thanked everyone for their support during this difficult time.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Blackie family, we would like to thank the Truro and Halifax fire services for their support during this challenging time,\u201d the statement reads. \u201cWe also are so appreciative of the professional care Skyler received from the ICU nurses, doctors, and staff at the QEII Health Sciences Centre \u2013 Halifax Infirmary Site.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to also thank the community at large for their prayers and support; they have not gone unnoticed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dave Lovett was the volunteer fire chief at Station 45 when Skyler stopped in to join up back in April 2009. He recalls that day like it was yesterday.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen Skyler joined Stn. 45 he was young and eager to be on the first out truck,\u201d Lovett told The Laker.<\/em> \u201cI knew right away I had an up and coming star. It was very rare that Skyler ever missed a Tuesday training session. He was committed to the community he grew up in and he wanted to help.<\/p>\n

Lovett said Skyler quickly gained his trust.<\/p>\n

\u201cI could see the spark. He was a very smart and talented young man,\u201d he said. \u201cHe started talking about wanting to be a career firefighter, and I knew he could do it. He eventually made Lieutenant within the department. He began leading some training nights and teaching what he had learned to the newer folks. You would see him off in the corner teaching the more junior folks his way of doing a task.\u201d<\/p>\n

He recalled when the department held car washes to raise money for certain charities in the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe would say what can we do to get more cars in,\u201d he said. \u201cThere goes Skyler, taking is jacket off, then his shirt and nothing on but his bunker pants and boots. He said, \u201cI will head down to the corner by the Tim Hortons and wave cars up road to the station. His smile definitely did that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lovett said that Skyler became one of the most valued firefighters that Station 45 ever had.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was there, right behind you, every step of the way and no matter what, he had your back and you could trust that if this went south, he could get you out,\u201d he said. \u201cA well liked and trusted individual. \u201c<\/p>\n

He said when Skyler\u2019s younger brother Errison also joined the department, he was so proud to have him there.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was so proud to be there when Errison graduated from his Level 1 training,\u201d said Lovett. \u201cThe bond was tight and was only going to get stronger.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lovett said firefighting is a brother\/sister hood and they\u2019re a family. He knew when Skyler said he was applying to be a career firefighter with fellow Stn. 45 volunteer Tom Malone, he would be picked up quickly. Both landed with Truro Fire, where a former Stn. 45 chief, Blois Currie, is chief.<\/p>\n

\u201cI must say I was secretly disappointed (he went to Truro), but only because we were loosing Skyler,\u201d said Lovett. \u201cI counted on him more than he ever knew. He made me proud.”<\/p>\n

He said both he and Chief Currie felt they helped people get to where they wanted to be but in fact, in Skyler\u2019s case, nothing was going to stop him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe got himself there,\u201d said Lovett. \u201cHis infectious smile and charming personality will be missed greatly from his friends, his brothers and sisters of the fire service, and every community he touched.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSkyler was a true friend first, and a well accomplished firefighter second.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

WAVERLEY: Skyler Blackie is being remembered as a young, eager and up-and-coming firefighter by his former colleagues at Station 45 in Fall River and friends he met when he became a career firefighter in Truro. Blackie passed away March 20 as a result of his injuries from a training incident on March 9. It occurred […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":9986,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,12],"tags":[2,156,355,395,64,356],"class_list":["post-9984","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-featured","tag-fall-river","tag-hrm-fire","tag-n-s-fire-school","tag-skyler-blackie","tag-station-45","tag-truro-fire-service"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9984","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9984"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9984\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9984"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9984"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9984"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}