The County of Brant fire department paid tribute to fallen firefighters Troy Cummerson and Dave Monkhouse Saturday at the Cainsville Fire Station.
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Held on International Firefighters Day, the dedication ceremony also honored past members of the Cainsville station including Mike Couperus, Harold Rutherford, Larry Brown, Roger Tottle, and Murray Thompson.
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A wreath for Cummerson and Monkhouse was laid in front of a firefighters’ monument following speeches from Brant Mayor David Bailey, MP Larry Brock, MPP Will Bouma, Brant Emergency and Protective Services GM Cindy Stevenson, Brant Fire Chief Darren Watson and past Cainsville District Chief Allan Carver.
“The big thing is to carry forward their legacy and dignity and honor,” said Watson. “And to solemnly vow to always remember and honor their service, never to forget them.”
Attending were Station 4 members, family and friends, as well as visiting Brantford and County of Brant firefighters, and past members who have transferred to other departments.
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Wade Cummerson, Station 4 captain, one of three firefighter brothers with Troy and Corey, who is now retired, was the MC.
“This ceremony means a lot,” said Wade, noting some other names on the monument were also related. “It goes back to what was said about traditions, passing things down. I can remember going to the old station when I was as tall as these little kids out here, climbing on the trucks and going through the stations, and putting on gear…”
“That’s the way it used to be and it’s still a bit that way,” Watson said. “We’ve got one firefighter in Paris who is fourth generation.”
Troy Cummerson had served as a firefighter in the County of Brant and City of Brantford. He died in 2018 from cancer at the age of 48.
Monkhouse, a career firefighter in Mississauga, served as firefighter, captain, district chief and deputy chief. He had a fire prevention position at Cainsville.
“He (Monkhouse) held all the ranks,” said Wade Cummerson. “He passed away a year after Troy (2019), also from cancer.”
“It was very nice, I’m very appreciative,” said Troy’s mother Pat Cummerson. “Corey walked with me up to the monument with the wreath.”
Pat noted she had a brother (Allan Carver) and two or three brothers-in-law who were also firefighters, and a grandson, Cody, who wanted to be a firefighter.
“We lived just up the street and they were all attached to his hall,” said Pat.
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