Newmarket and York Region are mourning the passing of Central York Fire Services Chief Ian Laing.
Organizations and residents are sending their condolences after the 71-year-old passed away Nov. 30. An obituary has now been posted by Roadhouse and Rose Funeral Home with a service to be held Dec. 12 at 1 p.m., but no further public details are available.
“Ian leaves behind a legacy of 48 dedicated years of his life to the fire service, forging an incredible mark on the communities he served and those he worked with,” his obituary said.
Laing became the fire chief for Central York Fire Services in 2010 after decades with the Mississauga fire service. He would go on to be appointed by the provincial Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management as York Region’s regional fire co-ordinator.
The Holland Landing resident passed away peacefully at his home, the obituary said.
Born in Scotland, he moved with his parents to Canada at the age of four. He grew up in Atikokan, Ontario and joined Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services in 1975, progressing through the ranks over 34 years of service before coming to CYFS.
He leaves behind wife Deborah, son Kyle, daughter-in-law Erin, and grandchildren Payton and Ethan.
Many continue to express their grief at his passing. Newmarket council stood for a moment of silence in his honour Dec. 4, with several members of York Regional Fire Services present in the gallery of council chambers.
“This is obviously very sudden, very sad news. It’s imapcted the entire town and certainly the Central York Fire Services team greatly,” Newmarket Mayor John Taylor said.
Southlake Foundation said it was deeply saddened by the news, with Laing being an incredible support of the hospital and its pediatric oncology clinic.
“Chief Laing’s caring and compassionate leadership and service to our communities will be truly missed," Southlake Foundation president and CEO Jennifer Ritter said. "His kindness and memory will be forever cherished."
Newmarket-Aurora MP Tony Van Vynen, who also knew Laing from when he was Newmarket mayor, said he treasured his relationship with the firefighter.
“Chief Laing served our community with dedication, pride and an unwavering commitment to excellence,” Van Bynen said. “Chief Laing was the consummate firefighter – dedicated, proud of his chosen career and absolute in his resolve to provide his community with the absolute best service. I will miss the sparkle in his eyes and the stories told by a gentleman I was proud to call a friend.”
The Central York Professional Firefighters Association said Laing left an incredible mark on the fire department.
“Chief Laing was not only a leader but a mentor, friend, and a pillar of strength within our fire department. His unwavering commitment to the principles of duty, honor, and service have been an inspiration to us all,” the association said.
NewmarketToday will update this story if and when information about Laing’s funeral service is made available.
