All,
Dave passed away yesterday, peacefully, but after a very tough, but short, battle with cancer. Dave served nearly 50 years with fire and emergency services in Manatee County (Florida), starting as a Junior Firefighter. Dave and I worked together in the 80s and developed a never-ending friendship.
THANKS to all of you who donated to the fund to help him and his wife with the exorbitant medical deductibles and related challenges.
Those of you who have had to deal with this sort of medical issue (directly or indirectly) understand that a great many insurance programs do not cover everything that’s absolutely needed, sometimes to the point of being ridiculously expensive and borderline cruel.
https://fundthefirst.com/
Additionally…Thanks to all of you who sent him lots of great firefighter swag over the last couple of months — it meant the world to him and his family — and I truly appreciate your kindness.
LASTLY, please get yourself screened and checked annually, as cancer continues to be the #1 cause of death and illness in our profession. When it’s caught early, you often have phenomenal chances of survival.
But you gotta catch it early.
Please get checked.
www.40plusFire.com and www.
Rest in peace, our brother, Captain Dave “Junior” Cook.
(Attached is audio of the radio announcement transmitted this morning on Manatee County, Florida, Emergency Communications, Fire Radio)
https://drive.google.com/file/
Take Care. Be Careful. Pass It On.
BillyG
The Secret List 9/23/2025-1040 Hours
