Morgan Kitchen, firefighter who died battling Jasper wildfire, laid to rest in Calgary
24-year-old was killed by a falling tree while fighting massive wildfire
A celebration of life for Morgan Kitchen, awildland firefighter who died battling wildfire near Jasper, Alta., earlier this month, was held in Calgary on Saturday.
Kitchen was struck by a falling tree near the municipalityon Aug. 3, just over a week after his 24th birthday. Hewas aCalgary residentbased out of Alberta Wildfire's Rocky Fire Base.
He was laid to rest the same day the evacuation alert for Jasper was lifted, as a large fire in the area became classified as being held after weeks of it being out of control.
The service, which was livestreamedonline,was held at Centre Street Church in northeast Calgary, where he was honoured by hundreds of people, including members of the military and his fellow firefighters.
He was known to many asMack, KitchorMo. He served with the Canadian Armed Forces,the British Royal Marinesand as a first responder in Alberta.
During the service, Kitchen's firefighting helmet sat atophis casketdraped in a Canadian flagbefore an altar with Alberta's provincial flag anda flag bearing the symbol of the Canadian Public Union of Employees.
The stirring sounds of bagpipes andguitars filled the church along withsombre songsincluding a video of one sung by Kitchen himselfcoupled with a slideshowofphotos from throughout his life.
A 'will of steel,' says mother
Kitchen's mother, Joni Avram, described her son as a man with a"will of steel" who lived life to the fullest.
"He was as courageous, charismatic, intelligentand passionate as anyoneso young could be," she said. "He lived life loud and he lived it large."
Avramsaid she was proud that her son did what he loved, and that he was a hero.
"May all of us live with the same intensity, unshakable courage, active loveand enduring impact that Morgan packed into his short but meaningful life," she said.
Kitchen's younger sister, Katie, recounted their youth together and said she remembers her brother as her greatest ally and the only constant in each others' lives.
"He was an absolutely one-of-a-kind human being," she said.
Clotilde, Kitchen's elder sister, said her brother was intelligent enough to do anything he set his mind to;however, he chose to use his intellect to help others.
"A bright, charismatic, kindand loving light in the lives of everyone he touched," she said.
Remembered as friend andadventurer
Kitchen's father, Robert, said he was thankful for the time he spent with his son, and that his character was defined by love.
"He was honest and trustworthy.He was an adventurer, a warrior, an explorer.He had a strong humourous side.He was a mentor, a comfortalways present for peopleand a great friend," he said.
The service concluded withthe ceremonialringing of the bell, which symbolizeslove and respect, as well as the end of service for a fallen firefighter.
Kitchen is survived by his parents, step-parentsand six siblings.
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