A devoted family man, veteran Orillia firefighter, former Severn Township councillor and beloved community member has died.
Rob Ferguson battled brain cancer over the past year. He died on Christmas Eve at age 48.
He leaves behind his wife, Lisa, their four children, and many friends and family, as well as community members whose lives he touched along the way.
Ferguson worked for 26 years as a firefighter, beginning as a volunteer in Severn, and then Orillia, before being brought on as a full-time firefighter in 2004 with the City of Orillia.
He lived in Severn and Orillia before settling in Oro-Medonte several years ago. Those who knew him say he had a positive effect wherever he went.
Severn Mayor Mike Burkett noted Ferguson’s commitment to the community was so strong, he also served on Severn council from 2010 to 2014.
“He was a father. He was a friend. There isn’t enough good to say about the man,” Burkett told OrilliaMatters. “Rob was ultimately the salt of the earth: a man that would give the shirt off his back to anyone to give him a hand. Whether (it) was a stranger or a friend, (Rob) would be there to help.”
Burkett was mayor during Ferguson’s time on council, and he said he was impressed by how strong he was as a councillor during his first term.
“The way he spoke at council, the way he made his decisions, he backed it up. It wasn’t just a random ‘yes,’” Burkett said. “… If you asked him for a hand, it wouldn’t matter if it was as a firefighter or a councillor — he would be there to help. He raised four kids and he was devoted to his wife.”
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of one of our Orillia Fire family members. Firefighter Ferguson is a 26 year veteran of the fire service. He fought a valiant fight against cancer over the last year. Our thoughts are with his family. pic.twitter.com/JxRAXO31Fg
— Orillia Fire (@OrilliaFire) December 25, 2022
Orillia’s deputy fire chief, Chris Ferry, worked with Ferguson for many years and says he was an excellent firefighter and a fun guy to be around.
“He was the go-to person on the crew. If there was a tough task or something specific needed to be done, he was always the person to go to because he knew what to do and how to do it,” Ferry said.
“He was very reliable and very dedicated, and then, around the station, everybody loved to work with Rob. He loved to play practical jokes on people.”
Ferry echoed Burkett’s comments, saying Ferguson was dedicated to the community, and it was “just in him to help out.”
“Whatever needed to be done, he would do to help the public out and … any of the firefighters at the station, too, that would need help with anything,” Ferry said. “Either at work or off work, (he was) always volunteering to help out with people.”
Those qualities translated directly into his work as a councillor, too, Ferry said.
“(He would) help the constituents in his ward all the time, whether it be taking phone calls or emails or just going visiting people and talking face to face to figure out, listen to their problems and try to help them fix it,” he said.
Flags at our Administration Office have been lowered in memory of former #Severn Councillor and #firefighter Rob Ferguson. Council and staff extend our condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/mukX7jb790
— Township of Severn (@SevernTownship) December 30, 2022
Ferguson’s was “irreplaceable” and his loss will be felt throughout the community, said Ferry, who spoke of the bravery with which Ferguson accepted his condition.
“His outlook was he would try his best and do everything that he could to fight the disease, knowing that whatever happened would happen, but he was trying his best to do what he could to fight it,” Ferry said.
Ferguson’s obituary can be found here.
