A respected professor at Lambton College Fire School, with a long list of accomplishments, is being mourned in the community.
Ron Sparling died on April 23 at the age of 71.
Lambton College Fire School expressed its condolences over social media.
"Professor Ron Sparling was a driving force behind our Fire Science program from its inception and set a high bar in terms of his expectations for pride, honour and ownership in the fire service," read the Facebook post. "He was a friend and mentor to many."
An obituary from Smith Funeral Home said Sparling served in many capacities on the Forest, Camlachie, Corunna, and Point Edward fire departments. His listed titles included fire prevention officer, fire training officer, fire educator, fire investigator, and fire chief.
Sparling received many medals and recognitions during his career. Some of his accomplishments include the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Federal Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal, the Provincial Fire Service Medal, and the Volunteer Firefighter Medal.
His obituary also said Sparling enjoyed taking humanitarian trips to Cuba.
There will be no visitation. The full obituary can be read by clicking here.
