Paul B. Bowman

BOWMAN, Paul B. Passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at Grand River Hospital after a brief battle with cancer, at the age of 45 years. Paul Bowman, of RR 2 Wallenstein, was the beloved husband of Marilyn (Martin) Bowman. Loving father of Nicole, Darcy, Trevor, all at home. Son of Sarah Bowman and the late Ephriam Bowman of Floradale. Loving brother of Maryann and Harvey Weber of RR 2, Dobbinton, Harvey and Amy Bowman of RR 6, Mount Forest, Minerva and Lloyd Frey of RR 1, Harriston. Son-in-law of Osiah Martin of Kitchener and Elsie Martin of RR 2, Wallenstein. Brother-in-law of Kenneth and Deborah Martin of RR 2, Wallenstein. Lovingly remembered by his nieces and nephews. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff at Grand River Hospital for their compassionate care. Relatives and friends will be received at the Dreisinger Funeral Home , Elmira, on Thursday, September 27th from 1:30 - 5 p.m. and 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. and on Friday, September 28th from 2 - 5 p.m. and 6 - 8 p.m. A family service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, September 29, 2012 at 9 a.m., then to Goshen Mennonite Meeting House for further service and burial in the adjoining cemetery. www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com

Benefit breakfast planned to aid family of local firefighter CHUCK KUEPFER, Staff Reporter

An all-you-can-eat breakfast hosted by firefighters from the Floradale station will be held in memory of Paul Bowman. Bowman, a 27-year veteran of the Woolwich Township fire department, passed away from esophogeal cancer on Sept. 25. Bowman, who was 45 years old, left behind his wife, Marilyn, and three children: Nicole, Darcy and Trevor. After Bowman's death, members of the Floradale fire department wanted to do something to help support the family. "He's family," said James Martin, district deputy chief of the Floradale station. "The guys you work with there, you get to know them really, really well." Bowman's death came as a shock to those who knew him. It was only four days after the fire department found out about Bowman's cancer that it took his life. "Everything happened so very, very quickly with Paul," said Martin, who visited local homes with Paul for the department's smoke alarm program last month. Bowman was a veteran firefighter who had been recognized for his 25 year of service with the Floradale fire department by Woolwich Township in 2010. His father and two uncles who lived in Floradale were also long-serving members of the fire department. "This was something he grew up with," said Martin. "He joined as soon as he could be a part of it, and it was a big part of his life. He took it very seriously." Martin had responded to emergency calls alongside Bowman for years. "We were always on the trucks during the day," he said. "Paul and I were first in on many a fire together. Those mutual experiences in the face of danger forms a bond among firefighters. "We do things and get involved in things that normally people shouldn't have to see," said Martin. "If you wouldn't be part of the group, you just wouldn't get through it on your own." That sense of brotherhood has come from firefighters from other local stations, who want to do their part to support one of their own. "We've had other firemen from other stations offer to help, and offers of equipment from other stations and businesses that have barbecues, griddles, that kind of stuff," said Martin. "Getting the equipment and help and support for this has been overwhelming." Donations have also poured in from local businesses and suppliers. That response has also made the event's grocery list continue to grow. "We're looking at huge volumes of food," said Martin. "Our community support has been very, very strong." The all-you-can-eat breakfast will be held at Floradale Mennonite Church on Saturday, Nov. 10 from 7-11 a.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 2-8. Children under the age of two are free.

(Note: More than $27,000. was raised at this event).

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jun 3 2016, 21:45:28 UTC