By FireRescue1 Staff
TORRINGTON, Conn. — A deputy fire chief died Wednesday after losing his battle with cancer.
The Register Citizen reported that Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Pepler died after going into cardiac arrest.
Chief Pepler began his fire career by volunteering at the Torringford Fire Department when he was 15, and became a firefighter at the same department in 1999. He was promoted to deputy fire chief in 2013.
“My goal since I was 4 years old, in Torrington, was to be a firefighter,” Chief Pepler said. “The fire department came to my school in kindergarten and I had my picture on the front page of ‘The Register’ in 1978 squirting the hose and I said to my parents that I want to be a firefighter, no different than anybody else, only I stuck with it.
Chief Pepler was also the assistant director of training for the Wolcott Regional Fire School.
“Chris has taught many classes and has touched many lives, not only in Connecticut, but also across North America elevating the level of service provided in the fire service today,” officials said on Facebook.
Mayor Elinor Carbone expressed her sadness in a note to city staff.
“Chris was an extraordinary person. His dedication and commitment to the Torrington Fire Department and the City of Torrington has been integral to the safety of our citizens,” Carbone said. “This is truly a great loss to our community as a whole. Everyone whose life he touched will profoundly miss him.”
In lieu of flowers, it is asked that you donate memorial contributions to the Nathan Pepler Education Fund, c/o Torrington Savings Bank, P. O. Box 478, 129 Main St., Torrington, CT.
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