Retired training officer with the Ann Arbor Fire Department, Craig Sidelinger, passed away on Monday morning after a nearly two-year battle with colon cancer.
The department posted the news on its Facebook page and provided a link to a GoFundMe that has been set up for an educational fund for Sidelinger’s young children. In 48 hours, the fundraiser surpassed its goal of $10,000 and as of Monday afternoon, the fund has received $16,038 in donations.
On Dec. 28, Sidelinger was discharged to hospice care. To honor their colleague, firefighters and first responders from surrounding area departments came out in numbers to the hospital to salute Sidelinger.
Sidelinger joined AAFD as a firefighter in 2000. He held the position for 10 years before advancing to training officer -- a role he also held for 10 years.
According to AAFD, Sidelinger was the longest-serving training officer in the department.