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Park opens in honour of district chief
Sept. 26, 2010, Toronto – Toronto Fire Chief Bill Stewart, along with friends and relatives of the late TFS District Chief Bob Leek, commemorated Leek’s contribution to the fire service Sunday at the new Robert Leek Memorial Park.
September 26, 2010
By
Laura King
Leek’s widow Fulvia, his brother Jim
and son David, along with Toronto councillor Maria Augimeri, who
spearheaded the park initiative, city representatives and members of the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters' Association were
on hand for the dedication.
Leek was a 25-year Toronto Fire Services veteran who responded to the
Sunrise Propane explosion in 2008 and succumbed to a heart attack while
carrying out his duties.
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| Fulvia Lee, widow of fallen Toronto Fire District Chief Robert Leek, greets Toronto Chief William Stewart after the unveilling of the the memorial sign for a fire-themed children's park Sunday afternoon. Leek died after responding to the Sunrise Propane explosion in August 2008. Photo by John Riddell. |
"It is with great pride that the City of Toronto honours fallen Toronto Fire Services District Chief Bob Leek with this park which bears his name," said
Councillor Augimeri. "As a teacher and mentor, Bob used his knowledge and
expertise to help people. As district chief of emergency planning, Bob chose to
aid the field operations on Aug. 10, 2008, and died while performing his
duty. I believe Bob would have liked to be remembered for that."
Bob was an instructor at the Toronto Fire Academy, where he used his communication
skills to teach others about fire service hydraulics and fire pumps. He was
later promoted to district of emergency planning.
"Not only will the memory of District Chief Bob Leek be remembered by the men and women of the Toronto Fire Services,” said Fire Chief Bill Stewart. “With
the creation of the park, his memory will forever be woven into the fabric of
this community."
Parminder Singh Saini, who also lost his life at the site
of the explosion, was also commemorated with the unveiling of a plaque in his
honour.
The park features a junior playground, trees, benches, a walkway and a pergola. New playground equipment and decorative metal fencing
were installed thanks to donations from several organizations including the Toronto Professional Fire
Fighters' Association, Local 3888.
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