George Alexander Matches

Battalion Chief

Department: Vancouver Fire Rescue Services
Location: Vancouver, BC
Employment: Career (Full Time)
Date of Death: September 7, 2023
Date of Birth: March 13, 1935
Age at Death: 88
Memorial Panel: 20

Story

After five years with the RCMP, including two in the Musical Ride, Alex joined the Vancouver Fire Department (1962-1995), rising to Battalion Chief before retiring from Hall #18. Passionate about VFD history, he served as its Unofficial Historian, collecting artifacts and writing four books on the department. He loved the job until the very end, calling it the 'best job in the world." In retirement, Alex and his wife traveled North America in their Airstream, visiting every state, province, and the Yukon. His later years were spent battling bladder cancer, a fight shared by many firefighters.