In the afternoon of May 8, the friends and family of Jordan Kalinchuk gathered near Mitford Pond, releasing orange balloons in the air in recognition of the 23-year-old volunteer firefighter.
Kalinchuk died May 3 as the result of injuries from a bicycle accident he suffered in Canmore the week before.
A graduate of St. Timothy High School, Kalinchuk joined Exshaw Fire and Rescue in May of 2013. He was one of the local firefighters to receive a Southern Alberta Flood Medal last month.
“Jordan was so enthusiastic and full of life,” said Al Hogarth, captain at the Exshaw Fire Department.
“It was a breath of fresh air.”
Hogarth worked with Kalinchuk since the spring of 2012, first in the MD of Bighorn’s public works department before joining the volunteer fire service. Fire Chief Rick Lyster said the young man had just finished his emergency medical response training.
“He was so keen to get into firefighting,” said Lyster, adding that he would remember Kalinchuk by his impish smile.
“He was a great, eager, willing guy. He brought a lot to our service.”
Kalinchuk’s funeral service was held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Cochrane on May 8.
