The portrait of a life well-lived is painted from the memories of friends, family and peers that are left behind.

For Fire Chief Darren McClelland, who recently lost his battle with cancer, that portrait is overwhelmingly one of kindness and of dedication.

Nelson Pompu, Swift Current EMS Manager, knew McClelland as well as anyone; the latter having worked several years with EMS before moving on to the Swift Current Fire Department.

Pompu reflected fondly on a man who remained in love with life even when life sent him challenges.

"Loving husband. Loving father. I think the thing that I remember the most about him was his laugh. He just had a very infectious laugh and he laughed often. He really embraced life."

Mayor Denis Perrault, who over the last 10 years has gotten to know the fire chief very well, concurred.

"Always positive. Every time I would talk or text he was always so positive. And that's definitely contagious. There's a reason that everybody always wanted to be around this guy. He was a magnet."

McClelland was dedicated to those that he loved; his family, his friends, his community and his brothers and sisters in the Fire Department. It was a dedication that earned him the respect of those who knew him.

"He was always generous with his time. Just a big part of our community." Perrault said, adding that despite the battle he was fighting, his dedication to serving the community never wavered. "He would take off when he needed to, but honestly any time I talked to him he was always at the fire-hall. On his phone all the time. He replied back to every single text quickly. And that's why those guys I know have so much respect for him, as do I."

Pompu agrees, illustrating the point by relating a story of McClelland not only continuing to serve as he could, but also continuing to take courses from home while battling health issues.

"He would do anything for anybody, anytime. And did it for his community. Totally dedicated to his community."

A celebration of life for Chief McClelland will be held at the Credit Union iPlex on January 27, 2020 at 2:00PM.