The Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens will be confirmed as the site for a Firefighters’ Memorial project at Monday’s council meeting, with the memorial to honour the 14 Oshawa firefighters who have died as a result of their service.
A place to honour courage, sacrifice and service of Oshawa firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty was approved unanimously earlier this month, with Memory Gardens at the Oshawa Botanical Gardens – located just south of Oshawa Fire headquarters – as a permanent home on Monday’s council agenda.
The $600,000 memorial is planned for construction later this year.
The intent of the project is to create a permanent civic space for remembrance, ceremony, and reflection honouring firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty.
The memorial will include a bronze firefighter feature and an integrated illumination feature to function as components within a broader civic commemorative space.
Oshawa Councillor Tito-Dante Marimpietri said he was “honoured” to have supported the initiative to recognize the “family sacrifices made in delivering an unwavering commitment to public safety to Oshawa residents.”
“Our city is grateful.”
A permanent place to honour the sacrifice and service of Whitby firefighters is also coming to Civic Park this fall, thanks to $135,000 in federal funding to create a Fallen Firefighter Memorial.
The memorial will recognize the seven Whitby firefighters who paid the ultimate price while on duty and serve as a lasting tribute to the men and women who put themselves at risk to protect the community every day. It will also mark the 175th anniversary of Whitby Fire and Emergency Services, connecting past sacrifice with present-day service.
“Whitby’s firefighters accept extraordinary risks in service to our community, and this memorial will stand as a lasting tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy, who thanked Ottawa for the funding support to create a “dedicated place” at Whitby Civic Park for families, colleagues, and residents to honour the service of Whitby’s fallen firefighters.
The memorial will feature a bronze sculpture of a kneeling firefighter at the centre of a circular plaza. Designed as a space for remembrance and learning, the memorial will offer families, colleagues, and residents a meaningful place to pay their respects and learn about the history and legacy of Whitby Fire.