A pumper truck carries the flag draped casket of firefighter Bob Leek from his funeral in Toronto on Friday, Aug. 15, 2008. Leek died while responding to last Sunday's massive propane gas explosion. (Frank Gunn / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

T.O. firefighter remembered as 'modern-day knight'

CTV News –
August 15, 2008

A veteran Toronto firefighter who died at the scene of last weekend's massive propane explosion is being remembered as a passionate family man and a "modern-day knight."

Thousands of firefighters from across North America paid tribute to Bob Leek at the Prayer Palace in North York.

A piper's band played as the 55-year-old's casket arrived aboard a pumper truck. A large Canadian flag hung between two fire trucks outside the church.

Leek collapsed while working at the scene of the Downsview blast on Sunday at Sunrise Propane. The cause of death hasn't yet been released at the request of his family.

Leek was supposed to be starting his summer vacation the day after the facility erupted into flames.

The casket of district Chief Bob Leek is seen during his funeral on Friday, Aug. 15, 2008.	A pumper truck carries the flag draped casket.

Mourners were told that the 25-year-veteran was considered a hero by his colleagues and his community, and that love of family is what drew him to firefighting.

Jim Leek said his brother truly believed in the brotherhood of the Toronto Fire Services and was a family man, first and foremost.

"He was a man of integrity and honour ... a modern-day knight," Jim said during his eulogy.

"Bob is not a hero because of the way he died, Bob is a hero because of the way he lived each and every day, helping anybody that was in need at any time."

Fire Chief Bill Stewart said Leek went above and beyond what was expected from him.

"If you ask a firefighter, they will say they're just simply doing their job, and in his line-of-duty death, we realize he did more for what any job requires. He paid and made the supreme sacrifice," Stewart said.

A letter by Mayor David Miller, read out to mourners, said Leek was a passionate and heroic man.

District Fire Chief Bob Leek

"For his contributions and for the ultimate sacrifice he made in the name of protecting Torontonians, we all owe him a huge debt of gratitude that can never be repaid," Miller stated.

The mayor apologized for not being able to attend, as he is vacationing in Vancouver with his family.

Colleagues praised Leek's dedication and commitment.

"It's a sad day for us for sure. Whenever there's a loss of life, we feel at heart, especially when it's one our own," said one firefighter.

"You never think these things are going to happen, but they happen, and it's rough," said another.

A "final salute" was also planned to honour Leek, a married father, at fire services headquarters.

With a report from CTV Toronto's Jim Junkin and files from The Canadian Press

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Source: ctvtoronto.ca