Community devastated by passing of beloved firefighter Roy Cormick

The Northern Rivers firefighting community has been devastated by the news that beloved firefighter Roy Cormick has passed.

BELOVED MENTOR: The passing of beloved Alstonville / Wollongbar Rural Fire Service volunteer Roy Cormick has devastated the tight-knit Northern Rivers community. Image courtesy RFS

Gone but never forgotten.

The Northern Rivers emergency services and broader community was in mourning with the passing of an outstanding man, Rural Fire Service Alstonville / Wollongbar Brigade stalwart, Roy Cormick.

On August 21, Alstonville / Wollongbar RFS Brigade posted the sad news of Mr Cormick’s passing and of their condolences to his family on social media.

Captain Patrick Higgins said the passing of Mr Cormick, 65, has left everyone “feeling cheated and rocked.”

“Roy had not long retired, he had recently served another term as brigade captain and this was supposed to be his time,” he said.

“Roy was an outstanding member, he was a man of great principle, he had been part of our brigade for so long, over 20 years.

“He was so community minded and he was someone who always reached out to help others.”

Mr Higgins said Mr Cormick played an integral role in mentoring members of all ages and skill levels.

“Not only did he teach our young volunteers a sense of community and respect, Roy taught them a sense of duty, discipline and self-reliance,” he said.

“I know from speaking to their families that they have taken these lessons with them into their working lives.”

He said that Mr Cormick would be very much missed, not just for his knowledge, experience, skills and wisdom, but for also being a true friend.

“Roy was known as someone who supported and help members who were facing challenges,” Mr Higgins said.

“Roy was very experienced, he participated in many strike teams over the years such as the 2009 Victorian Bushfires.

“We could always rest easy, knowing he was caring for our members who accompanied him.

“Roy was an inspiring leader, all his four children joined up and were members at one time, with one son going on to join NSW Fire and Rescue.”

Mr Higgins said Mr Cormick spent many years with the RMS as highly respected geotechnical laboratory manager.

He said the gap in the brigade left by Mr Cormick was “immense.”

“One of the ways we will honour Roy is to carry on his legacy of mentoring and helping others in and out of the brigade,” he said.

“Roy’s legacy is that he took this brigade to such a professional level that it’s now up to us to maintain it.”

Mr Higgins, said he felt that Mr Cormick’s passing could be mirrored by a moving statement made by US President Teddy Roosevelt about torchbearers after his son Quentin died in World War One.

“But all of us who give service, and stand ready for sacrifice, are the torchbearers,” President Roosevelt said.

“We run with the torches until we fall, content if we can then pass them to the hands of other runners”

“This is what Roy has done, and now it is up to use to carry on his good work,” Mr Higgins said.

He said Mr Cormick was survived by his wife Julie and their four children Adam, Grace, Andrew and Jacob and their families.

The family have also expressed their genuine appreciation of the kindness shown by the community on this time.

“We also want to thank the Ballina Ambulance paramedics, Alstonville Fire and Rescue and the police for their assistance,” a family spokesman said.

Vale Roy Cormick 1956 – 2021.