City of Toronto will honour fallen firefighters at memorial ceremony

Tomorrow, the City of Toronto will hold a memorial ceremony to honour the addition of 14 fallen firefighters to the Memorial Honour Roll. The service will include remarks and wreath-laying ceremonies led by the Mayor of Toronto, Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop, members of Toronto Fire Services, representatives of the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association, family members and affiliated fire service organizations.

Date: Sunday, September 27

Time: 10:50 a.m.

Location: Toronto Fire and Marine Station 334, 339 Queens Quay W.

Note: Opportunity for media to capture photos and b-roll. No on-site parking available.

The annual ceremony brings together Toronto firefighters, along with the families and friends of those who have died in the line of duty, to recognize their service and sacrifice. Since 1848, 367 Toronto firefighters have lost their lives while protecting the city’s residents, property and environment. The following names of the 14 Toronto Firefighters will be added (with dates of death) to the current Memorial Honour Roll of 336 firefighters:

• Captain Philip S. J. Ball died on April 16, 2023.
• Captain John (Jack) Bayley died on December 26, 1998.
• Firefighter Joseph P. Bonanno died on June 4, 2025.
• Acting District Chief Brian R. Coles died on February 12, 2025.
• District Chief John P. Draper died on July 9, 2023.
• District Chief Alan E. Fletcher died on January 19, 2025.
• Captain Peter M. Harvey (Sr.) died on December 6, 2024.
• Captain James L. Hickey died on September 5, 2024.
• Firefighter Frederick H. Marks died on April 20, 2025.
• Captain Patrick N. McManus died on June 2, 2025.
• Firefighter Dave R. Sanders died on August 25, 2025.
• Firefighter William (Bill) Tanton died on January 31, 2025.
• District Chief Douglas R. Whalen died on August 30, 2023.
• Captain David C. Wilcox died on September 13, 2023.

Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit www.toronto.ca or follow us on X at www.x.com/cityoftoronto, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofto.