About two thousand people gathered Saturday to honour Skyler Blackie, the Truro firefighter who died following an incident during training. The 28-year-old was remembered at a morning service at the Colchester Legion Stadium in Truro. Blackie, who lived in Debert, N.S., died in hospital 11 days after suffering a head injury during routine training at the Nova Scotia Firefighters School in Waverley on March 9. Little is known about the incident except that it involved a fire extinguisher. Blackie is survived by his wife, Erin, his parents and a brother and sister, according to his obituary. A funeral procession for firefighter Skyler Blackie moves through the streets of Truro on Saturday morning. (Paul Poirier/CBC) Hundreds of people lined the streets in Truro as a fire engine carrying Blackie's body drove past. An aerial ladder was placed above the centre of the street as the procession passed by, a large Canadian flag slowly billowing from it in the breeze. A pipe band led the Town of Truro fire truck, which was draped in black cloth, and men and women in uniform followed on foot. Stephen Sweet, the pipe major for the Greater Boston Firefighters Pipes and Drums, travelled with six others for the funeral. "He's one of us. It doesn't matter what the patch is, where you're from. It's the same job everywhere, and we support our own," he said. "This is why the band exists … to show the respect that they deserve and showing the families and the departments that we won't forget — ever." A Truro fire truck bearing the body of Skyler Blackie makes its way to the Colchester Legion Stadium for his funeral service. (Paul Poirier/CBC) During the service, several of Blackie's firefighting comrades and friends offered their remembrances and condolences. Dave Burry, the regional vice-president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, said Blackie was quick to smile, easy to befriend and deeply proud of being a firefighter. "Despite the hazards and the uncertainties of his chosen profession, he did his job without hesitation. Whenever you, the public, would call for assistance, he was always there," Burry said. "Skyler, my friend, my brother, rest in peace. We will take it from here." People take a moment of silence during Blackie's funeral service. (Paul Poirier/CBC) Blackie's friend and coworker, Logan Daly, said he and Blackie recently auditioned for the TV show Amazing Race Canada. In their audition video, Blackie said he looked up to Daly. Daly said recently he's been thinking about that moment. "I realized it should have been me saying that," he said. "I looked up to him. He was my role model. I need to be more like Skyler." Another close friend and firefighter, Craig Matthews, said he and Blackie had a lot in common, including that they loved their jobs, beer, the Blue Jays and yelling out "Hydrant!" from the fire truck. "I wanted to talk about how handsome Duke was," Matthews said, prompting chuckles from the crowd. "Actually, it kind of pissed me off.… Everyone knew it, even my kids knew it — he had bigger muscles than me." But Matthews grew serious. "Firefighters show up at everyone's worst day," he said. "We're going to try our best to help you or die trying. That's the way I'm going to remember my friend Skyler, my brother Duke. So others may live." Skyler Blackie's brother, Errison, speaks during the service. (Paul Poirier/CBC) Blackie's brother, Errison Blackie, also a firefighter, recounted stories of their childhood together — including the time they went rollerblading down a steep hill and Errison fell, losing consciousness in the process. Skyler dropped to his knees to stop, scraping them badly, threw Errison over his shoulders and took him to the nearest house. "That was Skyler. Skyler had my back. He was my protector, every single day," Errison said. Errison said as boys, the two brothers would frequently have "sleepovers" in Skyler's room, talking late into the night about their dreams of both becoming firefighters and working at the same firehouse — which they did. Errison said he often wet the bed as a young boy, including Skyler's bed during their sleepovers. "Skyler never once got mad at me, he never once made fun of me," Errison told the crowd. Rather, Skyler would send him to his room to get changed, change his sheets and tuck Errison back into bed. "That was Skyler." Errison said he's been asked in recent days why he isn't crying more, or why he isn't sad. "Here's my answer: There's simply no room for sadness in me today or for the rest of my life," he said, "because I'm filled with too much pride for my brother. And I will spend the rest of my days celebrating his life." Skyler Blackie was honoured at a procession, service and funeral on Saturday. (Jillian Kennedy) READ MORE<doc-sep>Several thousand people gathered in Truro on Saturday to honour Skyler Blackie, the Truro firefighter who died March 20th following an incident during training. Hundreds of people lined the streets of Truro for the funeral procession, as Blackie’s body was carried by firetruck one last time. “It’s a showing of brotherhood,” said Captain Ray McCourt of the Summerside Fire Department. “It’s going to be a very emotional day, first time for me,” The pipe band that helped lead the procession travelled from Boston, as firefighters from all over the Maritimes and beyond gathered to pay final respects to one of their own. “He’s one of us. It doesn’t matter what the patch is, where you’re from. It’s the same job everywhere and we support our own.” said Stephen Sweet, Pipe Major of the Greater Boston Firefighters Pipes and Drums Band. “We come today to support our fellow members in the fire service, emergency services, and just to be here to be part of it and show our support no matter what,” says Chief Greg Jones of the Amherst Fire Department. Inside the Colchester Legion Stadium, no seat was left empty, as the service began with a performance of Hallelujah, one of the 28-year-old’s favourite songs. Over the next hour, music and memories were shared, of a firefighter, husband, son, brother and friend, gone far too soon. “Firefighters show up at everyone’s worst day. We’re going to try our best to help you or die trying, that’s how I’ll remember my friend Skyler,” said Blackie’s friend and fellow Truro firefighter Craig Matthews. During the service, three of Blackie’s closest friends and fellow firefighters described the kind of man that Skyler was. “He made a lasting impression on so many people and we will never forget him,” added Tom Malone. “So let’s always celebrate and remember him, let’s all be a little more like Skyler, love you brother,” said Logan Daly. A touching eulogy was delivered by Blackie’s younger brother Errison. As children, both brothers talked of being firefighters together, a dream they turned into a reality with the Truro Fire Service. “There is simply no room for sadness in me, today, or for the rest of my life, because I’m filled with too much pride for my brother,” said Errison Blackie. After a round of applause in celebration of Blackie’s life, the service concluded with the Bell Ceremony, a traditional ringing of a bell symbolizing the firefighter’s final call. Blackie, 28, died on March 20th from injuries sustained during a training exercise at the Nova Scotia Firefighters School in Waverley, N.S. It’s still unclear on what exactly happened during that training exercise on March 9th, and the incident is still under investigation by the N.S. Department of Labour. But on Saturday, there was no uncertainty on the impact that Skyler Blackie made on those around him. The extended family of first responders, answering the call to support those he touched most. “It’s been overwhelming the support that has come out, and the support that has been with us the last 21 days. Just overwhelming,” said Chief Blois Currie of Truro Fire Service. The kind of support that firefighters say will last long after the sounds of this final tribute fade away. With files from CTV Atlantic’s Heidi Petracek.<doc-sep>Send this page to someone via email A firefighter from Truro, N.S., who died as a result of injuries he received during training exercises, will be laid to rest on Saturday. Skyler Blackie, 28, was injured on March 9 during a training session at the Nova Scotia Firefighters School in Waverley, N.S. He died on March 20. WATCH: Regimental funeral for fallen Nova Scotia firefighter Skyler Blackie 4:37 Regimental funeral for fallen Nova Scotia firefighter Skyler Blackie Regimental funeral for fallen Nova Scotia firefighter Skyler Blackie – Mar 30, 2019 READ MORE: N.S. firefighter injured during training session dies from injuries Truro Fire Service Chief Blois Currie says Blackie had been with the fire service for five and a half years. Story continues below advertisement “He was a great guy, caring, loving,” said Currie. “Just a part of our family.” "I want to fill my calling and to give the best in me." A Firefighter's Prayer lays on the seat of every chair in the stadium. Skyler Blackie was 28 years of age. He began his firefighting career as a volunteer at 18 years old. pic.twitter.com/vdXSsBIYTE — Alexa MacLean (@AlexaMacLean902) March 30, 2019 Fire departments from across the province are in Truro for the funeral of Skyler Blackie. A young firefighter who died during a training session. pic.twitter.com/EavmoyBdeb — Alexa MacLean (@AlexaMacLean902) March 30, 2019 The province’s Department of Labour has been investigating the incident. Blackie’s funeral will be held at the Colchester Legion Stadium in Truro Saturday at 11 a.m. According to Halifax Regional Municipality spokesperson Brendan Elliott, there could be as many as 5,000 first responders from across North America in attendance. Overflow capacity will be accommodated in the adjacent Cobequid Educational Centre. Nova Scotia Deputy Premier Karen Casey speaks at Skyler Blackie’s funeral 2:03 Deputy Premier of Nova Scotia pays respects to fallen firefighter Skyler Blackie Deputy Premier of Nova Scotia pays respects to fallen firefighter Skyler Blackie – Mar 30, 2019 READ MORE: Province investigating after firefighter suffers injuries at N.S. Firefighters School Elliott says there will be two main parking areas on the outskirts of town for participants, and a shuttle will take people to the stadium. Story continues below advertisement Marchers are set to begin at 10 a.m. on Commercial and Prince streets and they will proceed down Prince Street, turn left on Lorne Street, and then conclude at the stadium. Several @hfxfire firefighters are on duty in the Town of Truro to allow for those officers to attend Skyler Blackie's funeral without losing coverage for the town. pic.twitter.com/RKfXtzy7o3 — Alexa MacLean (@AlexaMacLean902) March 30, 2019 — With a file from Rebecca Lau<doc-sep>
Send this page to someone via email Skyler Blackie was everything a firefighter should be, according to those who knew him best. “I looked up to him. He was my role model,” said Logan Daly, a fellow firefighter and friend of Blackie, at his regimental funeral Saturday. “When the going gets tough, let’s be more like Skyler.” Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "When the going gets tough, let's be more like Skyler." Skyler Blackie died as a result of injuries he received during a training session at the Nova Scotia Firefighters School earlier in March. He was 28. READ MORE: Regimental funeral held for fallen Nova Scotia firefighter Thousands of firefighters from as far away as Calgary made their way to the small Truro community to bid a final farewell to Blackie, who had been a member of the town’s fire service for five and a half years. Story continues below advertisement Hundreds of firefighters march through the streets of Truro in a procession dedicated to their fallen comrade, Skyler Blackie. pic.twitter.com/hXr4K1R96E — Alexa MacLean (@AlexaMacLean902) March 30, 2019 WATCH: Regimental funeral for fallen Nova Scotia firefighter Skyler Blackie 4:37 Regimental funeral for fallen Nova Scotia firefighter Skyler Blackie Regimental funeral for fallen Nova Scotia firefighter Skyler Blackie – Mar 30, 2019 Dave Burry with the International Association of Fire Fighters says Blackie was quick to smile and very easy to befriend. “Despite the hazards and uncertainty of his chosen profession, he did his job without hesitation,” Burry said. “Whenever you, the public, would call for assistance, he was always there.” Several @hfxfire firefighters are on duty in the Town of Truro to allow for those officers to attend Skyler Blackie's funeral without losing coverage for the town. pic.twitter.com/RKfXtzy7o3 — Alexa MacLean (@AlexaMacLean902) March 30, 2019 Nova Scotia Deputy Premier Karen Casey spoke of a resolution in his name that was unanimously passed in the legislature on Friday. “What that means is with the passage of that resolution, it becomes a part — a permanent part — of the history books of the Province of Nova Scotia,” Casey said. Story continues below advertisement The resolution stated Blackie was a charismatic and hardworking team member who often gave his time and energy to bettering community and participating in charity causes like Movember. “Therefore, be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in offering sincere condolences to Skyler’s wife Erin, his family and his friends at this devastating time, and offer our appreciation for Skyler’s dedication to firefighting and protecting his community at large,” the resolution reads. WATCH: Deputy Premier of Nova Scotia pays respects to fallen firefighter Skyler Blackie 2:03 Deputy Premier of Nova Scotia pays respects to fallen firefighter Skyler Blackie Deputy Premier of Nova Scotia pays respects to fallen firefighter Skyler Blackie – Mar 30, 2019 Also speaking at Blackie’s service were fellow firefighters and friends, along with his younger brother. “I’ve been asked many times over the past few days, ‘Errison, why aren’t you crying more? Errison, how come you’re not sad?’” Errison Blackie said. “And here’s my answer: There’s simply no room for sadness in me today, or for the rest of my life. Story continues below advertisement “I am filled with too much pride for my brother, and I will spend the rest of my days celebrating his life.” Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I am filled with too much pride for my brother, and I will spend the rest of my days celebrating his life." WATCH: Brother of Skyler Blackie delivers emotional tribute 4:22 Brother of Skyler Blackie delivers emotional tribute Brother of Skyler Blackie delivers emotional tribute – Mar 30, 2019 But through sadness and grief, there were also stories of Skyler Blackie that filled the stadium with joy. “I wanted to talk about how handsome (Skyler) was. Actually, it kind of pissed me off,” fellow firefighter Craig Matthews said with a chuckle. “His body was perfect. He had those damn muscle lines down by his bathing suit. It drove me up the wall. Everyone knew it. Even my kids knew it. He had bigger muscles than me.” Now, firefighters who knew Skyler are coming up to speak. Logan Daly, who knew Skyler for 15 years, led with a joke. "What do firefighters, police officers and paramedics have in common? They all want to be firefighters." Logan says Skyler loved that joke and always told it.