D. Bryan Kongus/photo: Richmond Firefighters
A full honours funeral will be held later this month for a Richmond firefighter, raised in Cobble Hill, who died at age 44 following a long struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Donald “Bryan” Kongus passed away in August, his official Line of Duty Death was announced on Tuesday by the Richmond Firefighters Association – IAFF Local 1286.
“It is with great sadness that we officially announce the Line of Duty Death of one of our Brothers,” the statement reads.
The husband, father and stepfather was born in Jasper, Alta. in 1972 but his family moved to Cobble Hill when he was six-years-old.
He graduated from Cowichan High School in 1990 and soon discovered a future career while volunteering a as firefighter with the Cowichan Bay Fire Hall.
Kongus graduated from the Justice Institute and then joined the Richmond Fire Rescue at the age of 21.
He would spend 23 years there, rising to the rank of Captain.
A list of firefighters who’ve died in the line of duty lists the nature of his death as a drug overdose caused by stress and strain.
“Sadly Bryan passed away August 17, 2017 after a long struggle with PTSD,” reads the official announcement of his passing.
He leaves behind a wife and four kids.
“An amazing man and co-worker that I had the pleasure to work alongside on quite a few occasions,” writes Dean Dube.
The full honours funeral will be held on Monday, Dec. 18 at 11 a.m. at Fraserview Mennonite Brethren Church in Richmond.
Ben O'Hara
