The firefighter mantra of “we will take it from here” has a more sombre meaning today for not only the members of the West Perth Fire Department, but the community as a whole.
West Perth is still in shock after the sudden death of Cody Feltz on Dec. 12. He collapsed after work and could not be revived.
Described as genuine, kind, dedicated and strong, Feltz was just 35 years old. He and his wife Kelsey have two children, Levi, 6, and Leila, 4.
A member of the West Perth Fire Department for almost 15 years, Feltz was promoted to captain six years ago, proud to follow in the footsteps of his father, Doug, with the volunteer service. About a month ago, he was promoted to rural foreman with the West Perth operations department.
Operations director Adam Ryan said Feltz, with his recent promotion, “was already making such a positive impact not only on his peers, but across the municipality as well. He was a true leader who took pride in his work, cared deeply about his team, and always put community first.”
“Cody leaves behind a legacy of leadership, service, and respect that will continue to guide us,” Ryan added.
“Cody was a valued and respected member of our workplace and a significant part of our community, and we know many are feeling this loss deeply alongside us,” read a social media passage issued by the Municipality of West Perth on Dec. 14.
“Cody touched countless lives through his work, his volunteerism, and his dedicated service with the (West Perth Fire Department). His kindness, commitment, and sense of humour will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.”
West Perth Mayor Walter McKenzie made mention of Feltz’s death prior to council’s Dec. 15 meeting.
In his honour, the lights at the West Perth fire hall and the Welcome Centre will shine red and blue as a tribute to his service and memory.
The West Perth Firefighters Association was devastated by the loss.
Station Chief Ken Monden, who passed his captaincy to Feltz, and Deputy station Chief Mike Montgomery, a Cobourg Street neighbour, said most of the department gathered to hold a vigil and remember their beloved colleague.
Montgomery said every member of the department had a different memory of Feltz, but all centred around the same theme — his overall character.
“When you read what’s going on social media and people sharing their thoughts, it’s the same thing. . . . They all talk about the character and his kindness and the way he was,” Montgomery said while holding back tears. “It didn’t matter what walk of life you knew him from.”
“He always quickly rose up to leader of whatever he was doing,” Monden added.
Feltz graduated from the firefighter program at Lambton College and was hired by the West Perth department fresh out of school. His initial goal was to hook onto a full-time fire department somewhere, but when he was hired by the municipality, it essentially combined the best of both worlds, Montgomery said.
“It just aligned with everything he wanted. . . . He got to do a job that he loved and he knew it would impact his service here to the community if he had gone somewhere else,” he said. “He got to do what he wanted in the place that he loved.”
He was involved with several hockey clubs, including the Mitchell Hawks, the Huron Perth Lakers and the Monkton Wildcats, and was currently a U6 coach with his son’s Mitchell minor hockey team.
Kevin Ward, who, as Hawks’ general manager, enticed his friend Feltz to come on board, called him the “glue to our friend group, families, and hockey teams. We lost one of the best guys.”
In the summer, Feltz immersed himself with the Stratford Blackswans rugby program.
“His infectious personality was always a bright spot at the rugby club. Cody’s dedication and commitment to the Blackswans became the standard for what we expected our members to follow,” said Aaron Parsons, a longtime rugby teammate. “He was a true student of the game and became one of the most dominating front rows in the province at the end of his career.
“His impact on the growth of the Blackswans will always be remembered, and he will forever be the main character in some of the best stories.”
As involved as Feltz was, everyone knew his family was always his first priority.
The cherished son of Doug and Tina Feltz, of Mitchell, he was the brother and best friend of Nick Feltz (Sarah) and Rachel Wybrow (Aaron) and the son-in-law of Corey Wettlaufer (Paul) and Murray Illman (Leslie).
“While our hearts are broken and will take time to heal, we will proudly carry on Cody’s legacy,” the association’s social media post read. “During every training, at every school visit, through every emergency call, and with every laugh, we know #904 will be right there with us. And we couldn’t be prouder.”
A celebration of his life will be held at the West Perth Community Centre in Mitchell on Saturday, Dec. 20, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.