Even through the darkest of days, Doug Angrove always had a smile on his face.
The former Victoria fire chief had a smile that could light up any room and a laugh that was contagious, said his daughter Amy.
That smile never faded, even when Angrove was diagnosed with brain cancer in December.
B次元官网网址淗e always found the humour in every situation. He had a quick wit and was always one step ahead of you, trying to think of the next joke to make you laugh,B次元官网网址� said Amy.
B次元官网网址淭hroughout all of this negativity, dad never stopped joking. You couldnB次元官网网址檛 complain once about yourself without him saying B次元官网网址榟ey, IB次元官网网址檓 the one with the tumourB次元官网网址�.B次元官网网址�
On Friday, May 12, Angrove passed away in Kelowna at the age of 59.
With heavy hearts we announce the passing of retired Chief Doug Angrove. Our deepest condolences to his family. You'll be missed
B次元官网网址� Victoria Fire L-730 (@VictoriaFire730)
His life was one of passion, especially for firefighting.
Angrove grew up in Esquimalt and began his firefighting career in 1979 in Nanaimo, where he rose to the position of deputy fire chief and was involved with the professional firefightersB次元官网网址� union for several years.
In 2003, he was named deputy chief of the Victoria Fire Department and three years later became chief.
In Victoria, Angrove was responsible for ushering in new technology and efficiencies in the electronic filing of records, much of which hadnB次元官网网址檛 changed since the 1990s.
He also pushed for increased funding for the department, which helped purchase the cityB次元官网网址檚 first multi-purpose fireboat.
Paul Bruce, VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 current fire chief who worked with Angrove for five years, described him as an all around good guy with a good sense of humour. He was dedicated to his profession, giving 100 per cent on the job every day and even outside of work hours. Occasionally, Angrove and Bruce would meet on the weekends to talk about the department, as well as chat about their personal lives.
B次元官网网址淗e was very dedicated and committed to any task he was doing,B次元官网网址� Bruce said. B次元官网网址淲hen you get into the fire department, youB次元官网网址檙e either all in or youB次元官网网址檙e half in and Doug was one of the guys who was all in.B次元官网网址�
Former Victoria mayor Alan Lowe, who worked with Angrove for a few years, said he was always willing to help others. When LoweB次元官网网址檚 son was contemplating becoming a firefighter, Angrove offered to speak to him about the profession. Now, LoweB次元官网网址檚 son is a firefighter in Nanaimo.
B次元官网网址淒oug had time for anyone who needed advice,B次元官网网址� Lowe said. B次元官网网址淗e was an overall great guy who served the city very well.B次元官网网址�
But the only thing Angrove loved more than being a firefighter was being with his family.
Angrove made his family a top priority. He was heavily involved when Amy and her older sister Jenna played sports, and the weekends were often reserved for camping, boating or fishing trips.
After his retirement from firefighting in 2011, Angrove and his wife Sandy remained active, riding bikes and kayaking. Last year the couple decided to pack up and move to Kelowna, the halfway point between his daugthersB次元官网网址� homes in Calgary and Salt Lake City, to be closer to his children.
After AngroveB次元官网网址檚 diagnosis, Amy and Jenna rushed to be at his side, and began preparing for the inevitable. In the weeks leading up to his death, friends and family stopped by to visit and Angrove called it his farewell tour. He passed away surrounded by family.
B次元官网网址淗e was my hero, as cliche as that sounds considering he was my dad and also a firefighter, but he was, and I hope he knew that,B次元官网网址� Amy said. B次元官网网址淭hroughout this whole journey, he was the strongest one out of all of us. He never lost hope and kept up a good fight until the very end.B次元官网网址�
Angrove leaves behind his wife, two daughers and four grandchildren. Amy is expecting her second child later this month. His name will be added to a memorial at city hall that honours firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.
