A former assistant fire chief in Canterbury is being described by colleagues as “dedicated” and “selfless” following the announcement Thursday of his death.
The town’s volunteer fire department announced the death of former Assistant Chief Doug Smith, 63, who was also a longtime member of the Norwich Fire Department.
“He was very well-known and well-liked,” Canterbury Fire Chief Jason Matteau said.
Matteau said Smith began his career as a volunteer firefighter in Waterford and had garnered “a lot of expertise” by the time he joined the Canterbury department.
Canterbury volunteer firefighter Roy Piper said he worked with Smith during his tenure as first selectman.
“Doug was a guy that would give 110 percent all the time. It was in his nature to help others,” Piper said. “I think that was difficult for him when he became sick because he was always the one helping other people, and now he was the one being helped.”