It is with a very heavy heart that I advise of the passing of Town of Ajax Fire Chief and OAFC Vice-President Mark Diotte on May 7, 2014 following a hard-fought battle with cancer. Mark recently celebrated his 55th birthday.
Mark began his career in the Fire Service on July 17, 1980 as a volunteer Firefighter with the Pickering Fire Department. He progressed through the ranks and was appointed as Deputy Fire Chief of Pickering Fire Services on April 1, 2001. In July of 2006, Mark was recruited by Ajax Fire and Emergency Services as Deputy Fire Chief and was later appointed as Fire Chief on July 1, 2010.
In addition to serving as the Fire Chief in the Town of Ajax, Mark also served as a Vice-President of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs where he provided overall leadership for teams working under the Legislative portfolio. Prior to serving in his Vice-President role, Mark also served as a Director with the OAFC.
Mark was an inspiring and visionary leader who was renowned for his "larger than life" executive presence. The only thing that mattered more to Mark than his "come and see me" approach to leadership was his unwavering commitment to his wife Jennifer and daughters Natalie and Bridgette, along with his family and friends. While Mark will never be forgotten, he will forever be missed.
On behalf of the women and men of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, I extend sincere condolences to Jennifer, Natalie, Bridgette and all of their family and to the Ajax Fire and Emergency Services family in this time of loss.
Mark's life will be celebrated with a Full Honours Fire Service funeral. Please watch this page for details and instructions.
Thank you,
M.D. (Matt) Pegg
President
Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
FOR FIRE CHIEF MARK DIOTTE
VISITATION
Date: May 14, 2014
Time:14:00-16:00 and 19:00-21:00
Location: McEachnie Funeral Home, 28 Old Kingston Road, Ajax, ON L1T 2Z7
Notes: Parking is limited at the funeral home. Please consider carpooling and be prepared to park offsite.
FULL FIRE SERVICE HONOURS FUNERAL
Date: May 15, 2014
Time: 11:00 hours
Location: The Gathering Place – Pickering Pentecostal Church, 1920 Bayly Street, Pickering, Ontario
Parking: On-site parking at the Church is reserved for family and non-uniform friends of the family only. Uniformed personnel please see instructions below.
Interment: A private family interment ceremony will follow the funeral.
Reception: Everyone is invited to a reception following the service which will be held at the Ajax Community Centre, 75 Centennial Road, Ajax. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society in lieu of flowers woud be appreciated.
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The OAFC will be live streaming 3rd VP Chief Mark Diotte's funeral tomorrow at 11:00 The service link is: https://new.livestream.com/funeralservicelive/ajax For mobile access on your smartphone, text the keyword ajax to the number 123411 |
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL UNIFORMED PERSONNEL
- Full Dress Uniform
- There is no parking for uniformed personnel at the Church
- All unformed personnel are to assemble and park, no later than 09:30 on May 15, 2014 in the parking lot at the Pickering Markets located at 1400 Squires Beach Road, Pickering, Ontario, L1W 4B9. Parking marshals will be on site to assist you.
- All uniformed personnel will muster no later than 09:45 and will march in procession from the muster point to the Church, which is located across the road. Uniformed personnel will then be ushered into the Church as space permits.
- Seating in the Church may be limited. Please ensure that you dress according to the weather forecast, as extended periods outdoors may be required.
- Following the completion of the funeral service and the departure of the funeral procession, all uniformed personnel are invited to the reception as outlined above.