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Honeymoon Bay fire chief celebrated for 40 years of service

Raymond Wear’s wife and daughter were also recognized for their sacrifices
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Honeymoon Bay Fire Chief Raymond Wear was celebrated for 40 years of exemplary service earlier this month. (Facebook)

Honeymoon Bay Fire Rescue has served the community for 75 years and Raymond Wear has been there for more than half of them.

On Monday, May 2, the Honeymoon Bay Fire Chief received his 40-year Exemplary Service Bar from Cowichan Valley Regional District board chair Lori Iannidinardo on behalf of the Governor General of Canada.

The ceremony was attended by many friends, family, and fire service colleagues at the Honeymoon Bay Fire hall.

The medal and service bars represent exemplary work within the fire service, and more importantly, they represent the many years of service above self, dedication to community, and commitment to keeping people safe. Over his 40 years of service, Wear rose through the ranks and along the way, has mentored firefighters and passed on the desire to serve the community.

Also recognized during the evening’s ceremony were Wear’s wife Lynn, and daughter Jordyn, for the many sacrifices they have made when duty called Wear out to emergencies.

“I would just like to say how proud I am of Ray for all of his many years of service and dedication to the Honeymoon Bay Fire Department and community,” Lynn said. “It’s a large commitment but I know he enjoys it and it’s important to our family and our community.”

Ian Morrison, the director for Area F, which includes Honeymoon Bay, said he doesn’t know the community without Wear’s presence in it — both as a firefighter and as a community champion.

“Ray Wear has been a fixture in Honeymoon Bay for his whole life. Born and raised there, Ray has been a significant presence for as long as I’ve lived there,” Morrison, who has lived in the area since 1995, explained. “Compared to Ray, Lynn, and Jordan’s tenure, I’m still a newcomer, yet have been a beneficiary of Ray’s community service as a firefighter, Parks Commission member and Cowichan Lake Recreation member. Then there’s all the little things that get done, that Ray has always seemed to have his hand in.”

Morrison said, “Honeymoon Bay has been blessed to have Ray’s energy and effort in our lives. Congratulations Ray.”



sarah.simpson@cowichanvalleycitizen.com

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