Downtown Vancouver streets closed for firefighter's funeral procession
Ron Renville, 47, worked as a firefighter and acting lieutenant for 18 years, according to union
Several streets in downtown Vancouver were temporarily closed Thursday morning for a funeral procession and motorcade to honour a firefighter with Vancouver Fire Rescue Services.
The Vancouver Fire Fighters' Union Local 18 has identified the deceased as Ron Renville, 47, who worked as a firefighter and acting lieutenant for 18 years.
An obituary described Renville as someone who "lived his life with kindness, respect, integrity and unconditional love."
He died in his home on May 4, according to the obituary.
Firefighters from around the Lower Mainland gathered at First Baptist Church for the funeral.
The following streets were closed for the uniformed procession marches to the service and a final motorcade procession:
- Smithe Street/Haro Street from Burrard Street to Thurlow Street (8- 9:30 a.m.)
- Thurlow Street from Haro Street to Nelson Street (9-10 a.m.)
- Nelson Street from Thurlow Street to Burrard Street (9-10 a.m.)
- Nelson Street from Thurlow Street to Burrard Street (11:30 a.m.-noon)
- Burrard Street from Nelson Street to Smithe Street (11:30 a.m.-noon)
In a traffic advisory, the fire service asked for the public's patience and co-operation "to honour the fallen and pay respects to a family in their darkest hour."
It is with deepest regret and sorrow that we report the line-of-duty death of Brother Ron Renville, age 47 of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Brother Renville worked for the Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services for 18 years as a career fire fighter and Acting Lieutenant. (1/4) <a href="https://t.co/ThJZtsnLni">pic.twitter.com/ThJZtsnLni</a>
—@IAFF18