A celebration of life ceremony for Rob Patterson, chief of the Malahat Volunteer Fire Department, was held today in Mill Bay. Hundreds turned out to honour Patterson who passed away earlier this month. A procession left Kerry Park at noon and arrived at Frances Kelsey Secondary School for this afternoon's Memorial.
Condolences have been pouring in for Malahat fire chief Mike Taronga worked with him and remembers him well. "It's hard it was very sudden. He taught me a great deal."
There has been an outpouring of support from the public for Patterson’s family following his sudden death on Jan. 2. Shelley Eaton says she feels for the family. "He just did so much good for the Island, keeping the Malahat safe. The whole family."
The exact cause of death is not yet known, but Patterson’s family said the fire chief died while helping recover a friend’s stranded ATV.