Garth Dix
Flags at municipal buildings were lowered to half-mast this week in honour of the life and work of Garth Dix, who dedicated almost 40 years to the Brantford Fire Department.
Dix, who joined the department as a 21-year-old recruit and retired in 2012 after 10 years as the city’s fire chief, died on Sunday. He was 71.
“It is with great sadness that we learned about the passing of retired fire Chief Garth Dix,” said Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis at the start of Tuesday’s city council meeting. “Under his leadership, the Brantford Fire Department became a model of progress, modernizing its fleet of frontline vehicles and equipment, enhancing health and safety practices, advancing fire prevention and public education programs.
“His commitment to excellence and operations and his leadership by example have had a lasting impact on the department and city he served.”
Born in Windsor, Dix came to Brantford as a young teen. After graduating from North Park Collegiate, he studied criminology at community college with the intention of becoming a police officer.
But when he went into the Brantford police station looking for a job, he was told he was too young to join the force. Someone there suggested he walk across the street to the firehall because they were hiring.
Dix’s wife, Gisele, recounted the story of her husband’s interview for the job. They sat him in the fire chief’s seat and asked him about his goals and aspirations.
“I like the feel of this chair,” Dix told them.
He began his long firefighting career in June 1974, starting at the downtown headquarters, then at Greenwich and Newport streets. He worked his way up the ranks, becoming captain in 1994 and deputy chief a year later. He was promoted to the department’s top job in 2002.
Dix was deputy chief when Todd Binkley, the current fire chief, was hired in 1999.
“He was a dedicated and focused leader who continuously advanced this fire department for his entire career, both as a member and president of the association and, then later, as a chief officer,” said Binkley.
“When I was a new acting captain, the chief was an early mentor and provided guidance to progress my career and aspire to chief officer roles.”
Dix loved firefighting but it was just one part of his life. He was also a loving husband and father.
Dix met his future wife at a party. He was 18 and she was 16 and had just been allowed to date.
“I guess I caught his eye,” said Gisele. “He was my one and only boyfriend. He was everything I could have hoped for.”
The couple married in 1976 and would have celebrated their 49th anniversary this year. They have three children, Richard, Lynne and Rob, and three grandchildren, Rose, Violet and Spencer.
“He was a wonderful husband, very loving and considerate. We held hands all the time and he always opened the door for me, from our first date until the day before he died.”
Dix loved to fish, golf and garden and learned to be a skilled handyman with the help of his firefighting comrades. When his children were young, he coached their sports teams and was a compassionate, supportive dad, said son Rob.
“He was always selfless. We’d still talk maybe two or three times a week. It was more like talking to a friend than a father. That was his way.”
Gisele said her husband brought that compassion to his career and felt privileged to “help people at their worst time.”
Asked in an interview just before his retirement to recall the worst fire during his time with the department, Dix said it was on Sept. 24, 1995. That day a blaze consumed a home on West Street where a mother and four young children died.
“I will never forget that date,” he said. “That fire was so tragic.”
In a letter to city council announcing his retirement, Dix acknowledged his “excellent” co-workers and the many friendships he made in the department and throughout the city.
“I have enjoyed a very satisfying and rewarding career.”
In keeping with Dix’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. His family will hold a celebration of life at a later date.