By Carol DeMare
The Times Union
Copyright 2007 The Hearst Corporation
All Rights Reserved
ALBANY, N.Y. — At the firehouse in Arbor Hill, where he was assigned to the rescue squad, John A. Canfield was affectionately known as “Johnny Popcorn.”
“Every night he would watch TV with the biggest bowl of popcorn,” Albany Fire Chief Robert Forezzi Sr. said Wednesday.
The chief was among scores of Albany firefighters in mourning for Canfield — a city firefighter, paramedic and military man — who will be buried today following a losing battle with leukemia.
“John was not only a firefighter protecting the citizens of Albany but was also a patriot protecting his country in the military reserve,” Forezzi said. “John did his job and he did it well. He was a well-rounded firefighter and an asset to the companies he served with.”
Nicknames are part of firehouse lore and add to the camaraderie of the men and women of a company who spend a lot of time together. Canfield, an 18-year veteran, typified today’s firefighter, able to take on many challenges, the chief said.
Canfield, 46, who joined the department on March 16, 1989, “was a man’s man,” Forezzi continued. “He was well respected and known for his bravery and commitment. John will also be remembered as a fighter and a hero.”
He joined the Department of Public Safety dive team, which spent several days attempting to rescue three sailors who became trapped inside the Stellamare after the ship rolled over in the Hudson River in December 2003.
On the military side, Canfield was a flight medic for the 109th Airlift Wing of the Air National Guard in Scotia and served 12 years on the elite Para Rescue Special Forces of the 102nd Air Force/Air National Guard.
He had active duty tours in Kuwait and Turkey and was involved in emergency response efforts at the World Trade Center on 9/11, Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and the TWA Flight 800 crash off Long Island.
Canfield died Sunday as a result of complications from a bone marrow/stem cell transplant.
Mayor Jerry Jennings sent his thoughts and prayers to Canfield’s widow, Angela, and their three children. “We’re all thankful for the invaluable service John gave to the city of Albany as a firefighter and for his military service to his country,” Jennings said.
Funeral services are set for 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, Pawling and Spring avenues in Troy.
“Although his death was not considered line of duty, he was an active member of the Albany Fire Department with an excellent record of service and dedication, and we will honor him with a full departmental funeral,” Forezzi said.