Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation
ON THIS DAY WE REMEMBER
Array
(
    [ff_id] => 2053
    [first_name] => John
    [nickname] => 
    [middle_name] => 
    [last_name] => Draper
    [category] => 
    [employment] => Career (Full Time)
    [rank] => District Chief
    [birth_date] => 1945-05-19
    [joined_date] => 1970-01-23
    [death_date] => 2023-07-09
    [funeral_date] => 2023-07-17
    [cemetary] => 
    [age] => 78
    [department] => Toronto Fire Services
    [station] => 
    [city] => Toronto
    [province] => ON
    [incident_location] => 
    [incident_province] => ON
    [cause] => Work Related Illness - Prostate Cancer
    [circumstances] => 
    [url] => 
    [other] => 
    [wsib_rec_date] => 
    [date_entered] => 2025-04-14 17:26:15
    [source] => 
    [note] => 32499026(ON)&Memorial Grant
    [ceremony] => 
    [photo] => Draper_John.JPG
    [panel_number] => 0
    [story_EN] => 

John Draper joined the Toronto Fire Department January 23, 1970. John was a dedicated firefighter who rose through the ranks to become Captain in 1989 and District Chief in 1997. His colleagues held John in high regard for his discipline both on and off duty.

John finally retired in 2005 after 35 years with Toronto Fire Services. John chose to devote the same love and commitment he had given to the job, to his family. In his free time John put his carpentry skills to use, he was the man who could "do it all". John took up a lifelong passion for exploring the world with his loving wife Laraine and sailed on over 55 cruises and proud of his prestigious “Zenith” status. Known as Pappa to his grandchildren, he could always be seen at the rink, offering courteous but candid advice to the referees, cheering the loudest in the stands for his “super stars”, and showing up without fail to every hockey game and practice. When not at the rink or on a voyage, John golfed with friends and family as much as possible. He enjoyed taking care of his garden, scrolling through Facebook, and most of all spoiling his grandchildren.

John is missed dearly by everyone who had the honour of meeting him.

[story_FR] =>

John Draper joined the Toronto Fire Department January 23, 1970. John was a dedicated firefighter who rose through the ranks to become Captain in 1989 and District Chief in 1997. His colleagues held John in high regard for his discipline both on and off duty.

John finally retired in 2005 after 35 years with Toronto Fire Services. John chose to devote the same love and commitment he had given to the job, to his family. In his free time John put his carpentry skills to use, he was the man who could "do it all". John took up a lifelong passion for exploring the world with his loving wife Laraine and sailed on over 55 cruises and proud of his prestigious “Zenith” status. Known as Pappa to his grandchildren, he could always be seen at the rink, offering courteous but candid advice to the referees, cheering the loudest in the stands for his “super stars”, and showing up without fail to every hockey game and practice. When not at the rink or on a voyage, John golfed with friends and family as much as possible. He enjoyed taking care of his garden, scrolling through Facebook, and most of all spoiling his grandchildren.

John is missed dearly by everyone who had the honour of meeting him.

[is_live] => 1 [dod] => 2023-07-09 )
District Chief John Draper
Toronto, ON
2023-07-09
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Honouring the Fallen

The Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation is a registered, non-profit charitable corporation, governed by a Board of Directors composed of member of the Canadian Fire Service and other interested Canadians dedicated to honouring Canada's fallen firefighters.

LODD Recognition Application

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Education Program

Scholarship & Bursaries

The Foundation awards Scholarships and Bursaries to the children and spouses of Fallen Firefighters recognized by the Foundation. 

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Courage Publication

Volume 19 is now available - View all the  publications of Courage magazine online in digital format.

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2025 Canadian Firefighter Memorial Ceremony

The 2025 Canadian Firefighter Memorial Ceremony will be held in Ottawa at the Canadian Firefighter Memorial  on the 7 September at 10:30 AM. The 2025 Honorary Host will be the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation and Friends.

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Online Store

Online Store

Items on the CFFF store have been carefully selected to help HONOUR and REMEMBER the firefighters who have been killed in the line of duty. The proceeds from the products sold through the store are used to SUPPORT their families. The CFFF is a registered charity and operates by fundraising.

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News

Devyn Gale Memorial Volleyball Tournament

July 3rd, 2025

On Saturday May 31st, the inaugural Devyn Gale Memorial Volleyball Tournament was held in Revelstoke, BC. Organized by BC Wildfire Service... Read More