‘We loved you in life, we love you in death’

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This article was published 19/04/2024 (561 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The wife of a veteran Winnipeg firefighter who died by suicide expressed hope for change Friday, while he was remembered as a devoted and loving person at a funeral attended by hundreds.

Preston Heinbigner’s death has prompted calls for better mental health supports for first responders, and for the death to be officially recognized as occurring in the line of duty.

“April 9th should not be marked as a day of pain and sadness, but rather a day that caused everyone to pause, a day that started a discussion and a day that brought about change,” his wife, Shayda, who is pregnant with their second child, said during her eulogy at Springs Church.

She encouraged those in attendance to close their eyes and take a deep breath.

“Take this moment to picture Preston exactly how you want to remember him — walking into this room in a backwards hat and a big smile,” she said. “Let that warm energy that you feel when you think of that image wash over you, and carry it with you wherever you go.

“That was the essence of Preston and it’s what he would have wanted to leave behind for us all to remember him by. He always wanted to leave everybody better than when he found them.”

Behind her, a large screen displayed a photo of Heinbigner, 40, cradling their one-year-old son.

Heinbigner’s mother, Elaine, recalled his journey from a boy who loved to build forts and fish to a husband and father who shared his joys with his wife and son, while maintaining a sensitive, kind and compassionate spirit.

“We thank God for the 40 years we were given with Preston. He brought much joy to our home,” she said. “We loved you in life, Preston, we love you in death. We will miss you incredibly, and you will forever be in our hearts.”

Heinbigner’s name will be added to Manitoba’s memorial for fallen firefighters and an international monument in Colorado Springs, Colo.

His wife was presented with the International Association of Fire Fighters’ Martin E. Pierce commemorative medal, which honours firefighters who died in the line of duty. It is the IAFF’s highest medal of honour.

Firefighters want Heinbigner’s death to be recognized as being in the line of duty by the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba.

Heinbigner joined the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service in 2007. He was promoted to senior firefighter in 2017.

Originally from Martensville, Sask., he was remembered as a caring and charismatic man who put others first and made everyone around him feel special and loved, including during a battle with post-traumatic stress disorder.

“(He) saved lives, he changed lives, he touched hearts and he fostered community,” United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg president Tom Bilous said during the service, which was live-streamed online. “We know the job comes with inherent risks. Sadly, it also comes sometimes at great personal expense.

“He always wanted to leave everybody better than when he found them.”

“We all know the toll that exposure to the unnatural things we witness in our careers can have on us. Unfortunately, that toll cannot be easily seen on us from the outside.”

Addressing firefighters, Bilous said it’s OK to speak up. He encouraged them to be there for each other in Heinbigner’s memory, while commending them for continuing to answer calls for help while grieving.

“In honour of Preston and others that have or continue to suffer, our mission is to listen and ensure that those in need receive timely and appropriate resources to help them,” he said.

To mark the start of the funeral, “home safe” bells, which indicate all firefighters have safely returned from a call, sounded in Winnipeg’s fire stations, mourners were told.

A “home safe” bell, placed on a table next to Heinbigner’s helmet, was struck for him as the service closed.

Heinbigner and his family will be recognized by MLAs in the legislature Monday.

A GoFundMe page, was set up to ease any financial pressures on Heinbigner’s wife and children, has raised more than $190,000.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca