Pickering’s first fire chief was remembered as dedicated to his job, family, friends, colleagues and community.
Don Lynde, who was in charge of the Town of Pickering fire service until his retirement in 1984, died Sunday at 88.
He had also commanded South Pickering’s service when it became a two-man professional, 20-man volunteer department in 1952.
In good health until falling recently, the Second World War army veteran was Dunbarton’s postmaster before becoming a firefighter, current Chief Bill Douglas said.
“We were all hired by him,” Douglas recalled, paying tribute to his ex-boss for helping volunteers become “like a family.”
Stories of fires fought, people rescued and crews coated in ice during winter are being shared by those who knew him.
Friends and co-workers recall Lynde talking of his first two big jobs.
He helped fight a fire in 1952 at the Tee-Pee Drive-in theatre fire on Liverpool Rd., which couldn’t be saved after the department’s water tanker was emptied. He also would recall helping to rescue people with motorboats during Hurricane Hazel in 1954, including two firefighters stuck in a tree when the first craft hit a submerged car.
“He had a heart of gold,” Pickering platoon Chief Rick Ingram said, heralding his lifelong friend and former commander for often quietly helping needy people with money or referrals for help.
He said Lynde was a keen deer hunter and hockey player. His son Lyle is a Pickering fire captain.
Link to article: http://www.torontosun.com/2012/12/31/former-pickering-fire-chief-dead-at-88
LYNDE, Donald G - - 1st Fire Chief of Pickering. Died peacefully at the Ajax/Pickering Hospital surrounded by all his family on Sunday, December 30, 2012. Donald in his 89th year. Loving husband of Marie(Morrish). Dear father of Cheryl and her husband Michael Gabrielle, Nancy and her husband Bob Cubbage, Lyle and his wife Cathy. Dear Grandpa of Mandy,