The funeral service for a veteran Surrey firefighter killed in a parachuting accident last week has been announced.
Surrey Fire Captain Calvin B. McKibbon, 51, was skydiving near Seattle, Wash. when his parachute failed to deploy properly, became tangled, and was unable to slow his fall.
He was transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where he succumbed to his injuries.
McKibbon, a captain at fire hall 15 in Clayton, had served with the Surrey Fire Department for 26 years. He was born on Oct. 26, 1959 and joined the fire department on Aug. 6, 1985.
McKibbon worked as a suppression firefighter for the majority of his career, but also worked for two years on the Electrical Fire Inspection Team in an effort to reduce the impact of marijuana grow operations in the community.
Prior to joining the Surrey Fire Department, McKibbon was an RCMP officer in South Surrey.
McKibbon was an avid golfer and hockey player. He enjoyed travelling, hiking, dirt biking, water skiing and had recently begun pursuing his sky diving licence when the accident occurred.
He was popular among his fellow firefighters and will be deeply missed. “He was a very knowledgeable and capable fire captain,” said Surrey Fire Fighters’ Association President Chris Keon. “His crews enjoyed working with him because of his friendly, easy-going attitude. He always had a big smile on his face.”
He is survived by his wife, Marisa, his children Maddie, Eddie, Lorena and Anthony, grandchildren Thalia, Kian, Sam and Natalie, and his mother, Lorna McKibbon.
Funeral services for McKibbon will be held on Friday Aug. 26 at 1 p.m. at Victory Memorial Park, 14831 28 Ave.