Community honors NH firefighter that died of cancer

Firefighter Kyle Jameson was honored by Wreaths Across America when the organization laid a wreath for him

December 30, 2016 11:03 AM

By Max Sullivan
Portsmouth Herald

HAMPTON, N.H. — The Seacoast mourned the loss of 34-year-old Hampton firefighter Kyle Jameson this year when he died after a year-long battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Jameson died May 15 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City from a complication of a stem-cell transplant he received in April. He left behind his wife Christine and their son Liam, who turned 1 in June.

Firefighters and community members across the region rallied to support Jameson from the time he was diagnosed in April 2015 until his death. Jameson had previously worked for the Derry Fire Department and as an intern at the North Hampton Fire Department.

Supporters raised money to help with the Jamesons’ expenses, drove with Jameson to doctor appointments and shaved their heads together to show solidarity with their fire brother. They referred to their cause on social media as “Team Jameson” and wore shirts with those words.

Hundreds lined Winnacunnet Road and Route 1 to watch a procession of fire and police vehicles bring Jameson’s ashes past the Hampton fire station to his home in town.

Jameson showed signs of beating his cancer when it went into remission in July 2015. Later that year, Jameson’s cancer returned, and Jameson learned that he would need further treatment. His stem-cell transplant in April was successful in removing the cancer from his body, but it left him weak. He contracted veno-occlusive disease, which causes the liver, kidneys and lungs to fail, resulting in his death.

Jameson attributed his cancer to the hazardous nature of his work as a firefighter before his death. He was honored this month by Wreaths Across America when the organization laid a wreath in Hampton for the late firefighter.

Firefighters and friends said Jameson was remembered for his kind and fun-loving nature. Hampton firefighter Matt Newton called Kyle “fun, caring, giving, inclusive,” and one to “always have a smile on his face.”

“There was a smile on his face in every picture you’ve ever seen of him. Even if he didn’t know you were taking it, there was a smile,” Newton said.