Skip to content
Tributes paid to popular Cheshire firefighter who was a “friend to everyone he met”
Tributes have been paid to a firefighter and father-of-two who has died at the age of 44.
Firefighter Ken Wong from Crewe Fire Station has passed away two years after being diagnosed with cancer. He has been described by devastated colleagues as a “true inspiration” and “a friend to everyone he met”.
His colleagues said he was “always positive, even during his illness”, adding that “his smile and laugh would light up any room” and that he would be hugely missed. Ken lived in Crewe with his wife Gretta and sons Louie, six, and Leo, 19 months.
READ MORE: Boy told by doctors he would never walk defies odds to achieve dream of being a wrestler
He was based at Crewe Fire Station but had worked across Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, and had previously also commuted from Crewe to serve with West Midlands Fire Service and also Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Now a GoFundMe page has been set up by Ken’s friends and colleagues at Crewe Fire Station, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and The Fire Brigades Union to raise money for Gretta, Louie and Leo.
A poignant message on the GoFundMe page set up in Ken’s memory reads: “Our dear friend and colleague Ken Wong sadly passed away on 18th April 2023, aged 44, following a brave 2-year battle with cancer. Ken leaves behind his wife Gretta and two beautiful boys, Louie and Leo.
“This page hopes to raise funds to support his family over the coming months. Cash donations are being collected at Crewe however due to a number of enquiries from across the service and Ken’s previous services, this page is to make it easier for colleagues at other locations or friends of Ken’s from outside the service to donate if they wish.
“As well as being a devoted husband and father, Ken was also an extremely proud and popular firefighter with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, based at Crewe. He previously served in West Midlands Fire Service and Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service.
“Ken was a friend to everyone he met and was always positive, even during his illness. He was a true inspiration to everyone who knew him.
“His smile and laugh would light up any room and he’ll be greatly missed by all of his many friends and colleagues. Our thoughts are with Gretta, Louie and Leo, and his family and friends at this difficult time.
“If you are able to, any donations will be most welcome. FF Wong, RIP Brother ❤️
“Thank you, From all of Ken’s friends at Crewe Fire Station, Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service and The FBU.”
An online book of condolence at Ken’s workplace has included comments such as how people will miss his “infectious laugh”, also talking about his “smile that could light up a room”.
Tributes from Ken’s former colleagues at the other fire services he served at included one from Dawn Roodhouse, Crew Manager of Green Watch in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. Dawn told a story about Ken’s phenomenal level of fitness having stood him in good stead at a marathon he once decided to enter on the spur of the moment.
She said: “Had the pleasure of working with Kenny in Warwickshire, and his smile and friendly manner will sorely be missed. I remember how full of life and laughter he was, not to mention his fitness!
“He told me a story of him just turning up to run a marathon on the day with no training and he still smashed my time even though I’d trained for months!! Top bloke. Rest in peace Kenny, you were far too young and full of life, condolences to family, friends and colleagues. So very sad Xx”
Richard Douglas from Crewe Fire Station, told CheshireLive how he came to be good friends and also colleagues with Ken. He said he had been at school with Ken’s wife Gretta, who is a nurse at Leighton Hospital in Crewe.
Richard said: “I went to school with Ken’s wife Gretta and that’s how I first met him. They met on a night out in Nantwich when she was 17 and he was 24 and they travelled around the world together before getting married.
“I have known Ken for a long time and we worked together for a number of years. He wanted to join the fire service after someone at the gym randomly said ‘you should be a fire fighter’ because Ken was strong and enjoyed working out.
“He was one of the fittest guys I have ever met in my life. He would jump on a bike and cycle over 100 miles in a day without a problem.
“Ken began his career in the fire service in the West Midlands. He started in 2004 and worked there for a few years until he moved to Warwickshire Fire Service. Then in 2018 he transferred to Cheshire.
“Ken and his family are from Crewe and have always lived there. He commented that coming back to serve at his local fire service and in his home town was really important to him. He was really passionate about being back working in Crewe.
“Ken was really popular, not just in the service but outside the fire service too. He was poorly for quite a while. He had been off operational duties since November 2021 due to being poorly. He wanted to have some photos taken with his team.
“The main photo on the GoFundMe page was taken at our HQ in Winsford about six or seven months ago. I think it was for his boys really. He wanted some pictures as his sons grow up. He wanted them to have some photos of him at work.
“The fundraiser came about after we had a collection at the station to get something for the boys or just some money to give to Gretta. Then we started getting messages from colleagues around Cheshire and his former colleagues in Warwickshire so we decided to set up an online fundraiser which made it easier for everyone who knew him to contribute.
“How he dealt with his illness was so inspiring. He was so brave throughout. He just seemed to take everything in his stride. He remained positive and was always smiling. He was a really happy guy and he had time for everyone. Everyone loved him.”
“He was a well known figure in the local community and that’s why we wanted to do that for him – to help support his wife and his two young children, Louis and Leo.”
A number of fundraisers are being held in Ken’s memory. On Friday (June 16) 10 trainee firefighter recruits currently undergoing their basic training in Winsford will embark on a fundraiser for the fund for Ken Wong’s family and The Fire Fighters Charity. This will see them walking 44 laps of Chester’s City Walls wearing their full fire kit including breathing apparatus.
They are doing a lap for each year of Ken’s life, with each lap being two miles. The money raised will be split equally between the two causes.
The Fire Fighters Charity supports the mental, physical and social needs of the UK’s fire services community, including helping firefighters overcome injury and post traumatic stress disorder, along with offering psychological support and rehabilitation support.
Meanwhile, members of Ken’s Tuesday Night Football team are also gathering to hold a Family Fun Day and Football Match event in his memory. They plan to raise money for Ken’s family through the event, which is set to take place at 11am on Sunday, July 9 at the Cumberland Sports Arena on Thomas Street in Crewe.
Teams for the 11-a-side games will be made up of Ken’s family, friends and colleagues, with kick off at 1.30pm. Entry costs £2.50 for adults, with children free and food will be provided by Jordy’s Pizza and The Fish Bar On Wheels.
There will also be a licensed bar, with a fire engine, bouncy castle and music from local DJs to entertain those attending.
Stuart Evans, from Ken’s Tuesday night football team said he wanted to thank Steve Parker from Crewe FC for all the help with organising the event, including booking of the pitch and the use of facilities.
To donate to the fundraiser for Ken Wong’s family or the Firefighters’ Charity, visit the following links:
Ken Wong – Fundraiser for Gretta Wong by Richard Douglas : Collection for Firefighter Ken Wong’s Family (gofundme.com)
The Firefighters Charity – Trainee Firefighter Cohort is fundraising for The Fire Fighters Charity (justgiving.com)
People can also show their support on the day by finding the intrepid trainee firefighters on Eastgate Street in Chester from 9am on Friday.
NEWSLETTER: Sign up for CheshireLive email direct to your inbox here
READ NEXT:
New build homebuyers in Cheshire being ‘fleeced’ by extra fees
Cheshire town is one of the luckiest in the UK for major Lotto wins
