At some point today D’Arcy Kennedy’s pager will be taken from him by Cranbrook Fire and Emergency Services’ Chief Scott Driver.

After almost 30 years of service with the City of Cranbrook and Cranbrook Professional Fire Fighters Local 1253, Kennedy is retiring and today is his final shift.

For those who you don’t know D’Arcy, and there cannot be many of you, he is a devoted husband to Laura and father to Brianna and Devon, and loving son to parents who live across the back alley from him.

He has also been a through-and-through firefighter; serious business when in uniform and a brother to all he served with.

He is a gregarious and hilarious soul whose presence in the firehall will be impossible to replace.

D’Arcy, like all first responders, has had a career filled with impactful events, tragedies, disasters and some of life’s hardest and harshest moments. He embodies the quintessential character of a first responder – service to others before himself and “don’t worry about me; how are you?”

And that is who is leaving the firehall after his final shift today; one of Cranbrook’s finest.

Laura Kennedy said it best.

“Today is the official last day that D’Arcy Kennedy gets up to an alarm be it to get to the fire hall for a day of work or when called out in the middle of the night to a fire. D’Arcy you have almost 30 years of service with this fire department and this community, and it has not gone unnoticed.

“Service above self are the words you live by. You have given your all no matter what you were doing – fighting a fire, being a first responder, training coordinator or helping at a community event – you have lived a life dedicated to service to your community. I am so proud of you! “Thank you to Cranbrook Professional Fire Fighters Local 1253 our firefighter family you have been a huge part of our lives and I hope will continue to be.

“I have already started your “honey do” list because I know what happens when you have too much time on your hands – usually no good! I Love you, have a good shift and keep it quiet down there.”

Brother, you’re retiring from a career you love, but you’re still wrapped in the love of your family, friends, fellow firefighters/colleagues and this entire community. And there will be plenty of events to emcee!

We thank you for your service D’Arc, and are thankful you have aged. Many firefighters have gone before you, some before their time, and we’re happy for your retirement.

Cheers and sailboats sir! See you at Colombo Hall Oct. 22!

And now… heeeeeeere’s D’Aaaaaarcy…

D’Arcy has emceed countless events in the city, including Chamber of Commerce citizen of the year and business excellence galas, and has helped local firefighters provide annual funds to the B.C. Firefighters’ Burn Fund through the always smashingly successful Firefighters’ Halloween Gala.

Photos by Carrie Schafer and Ian Cobb and submitted by Laura Kennedy

Carrie Schafer and Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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