Fallen firefighter honored at funeral

LAKEVIEW, N.Y. (WIVB) - More than 200 family members, friends, and firefighters gathered at Our Lady of Perpertual Help Parish in Lakeview Saturday morning not to mourn the death, but to celebrate the life, of Ronald Wattie.

Rev. Joseph Bayne of the Erie County Emergency Services said, "Good dad, good husband. And that billboard comes to mind about Ron, commit random acts of kindness. And in a very simple was he was a gentleman that touched alot of lives."

His life was cut short on Monday when he was accidentally struck and killed by a Lakeshore school bus full of children as he was crossing the road to catch a Metro bus to work at Buffalo General Hospital. The first responders were Ron's very own colleagues in the Highland Hose Volunteer Fire Company.

"It was one of the hardest days of my career as a firefighter, I can tell you that. As Ron was a good friend of mine before I joined the fire service. Just very tough for everybody," added Chief Robert Trask of Highland Hose Volunteer Fire Company.

Fellow fire firefighters remember Ron as one of the best, a 26 year member, a leader. His son and daughter are both following in his firefighting footsteps.

Trask said, "His children are right along side him, just like he was to his father."

At the family's request, our cameras were not inside the church. But in there, they celebrated Ron's life. Two sisters and a cousin eulogized him. His son and daughter carried a bow and arrow, a fishing pole and a tackle box up to the altar to remember his passions.

"That was touching for sure. That was Ron. He always had a story about something, and it had to do with mother nature, added Trask.

And as the funeral procession drives off under the flag waving from two ladder trucks, Ron's family and firefighting family will continue to join together, to help each other go on.

Bayne said, "They are brothers and sisters that nothing rivals them.That's my flock. And I'm very proud of them. And in Ron's memory and honor today, we stand together."