Malahat volunteer fire Chief and safety advocate Rob Patterson died suddenly on Monday.
Patterson was found on his ATV and the cause of death is unknown according to his family.
Friends, colleagues and family members are paying tribute to what a special person he was.
Langford fire Chief Bob Beckett says Patterson was a vocal advocate to make the Malahat Highway safer.
“He went above and beyond to get that message out and to thank the volunteers and especially the members of his department,” said Beckett. “Incredible leadership and it incredible leadership because he was a volunteer fire chief.
A Go Fund Me page has been set up by friend Cody Tetley to aid Patterson's family with funeral expenses and other costs.
“Rob Patterson was a father and husband. Most knew him as Chief of the Malahat volunteer fire department,” wrote Cody Tetley on the page. ““He has always been heavily involved in the hall and community. Always being there to lend a hand to anyone that needed it.”
The account raised $6,500 by 6:00pm on Tuesday.