Following the sudden death of a well-known Lake Country firefighter, the community is rallying to support his family with multiple online fundraisers.

Karl Featherstone, 47, died at home on Sunday, Oct. 11, after suffering from a cardiac medical emergency.

READ MORE: Respected Lake Country firefighter dies after medical emergency

Multiple fundraisers on GoFundMe.com were started shortly after his death to benefit his spouse, Bryanna Lemiski and two children, who have already experienced their fair share of hardship.

Lemiski was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis shortly after the pair first met, Robert Lussier, who is behind one of the efforts.

She also suffered from a heart attack back in 2018 at home, shortly after their daughter Natalie was born.

“Karl immediately called 9-1-1 and there is no question that his medical knowledge and prompt action saved her life. Karl went on to help take care of Bryanna while she recovered at home as well as their newborn daughter,” Lussier wrote. “I have started this fund with consent from Bryanna because Karl was the sole provider for his family.”

An additional GoFundMe was also created by Dwayne Phaure, who is friends with the family, to drive support for the Featherstone children.

The District of Lake Country shared the news last weekend, and will be honouring him Sunday, Nov. 8 by arranging a procession of emergency vehicles in Okanagan Centre to escort his family to a private celebration of life. 

Lake Country Fire Department firefighters will assemble emergency vehicles along Tyndall Road at 9 a.m. and drive slowly south along Tyndall Road to Okanagan Centre Road West, then north past Lakestone Waterside and loop around Maddock Avenue, according to the district.

Featherstone joined the Lake Country Fire Department in 2009 as a paid-on-call firefighter and was known for his calm, diligent participation and exemplary attendance at practices and call outs, according to the district in a press release.

Featherstone has received numerous awards during his service, including the Station 71 Firefighter of the Year award in 2018, the Best Attendance to emergency call outs and practices in 2014 and a 10-year service pin in 2019.

Find both fundraisers here and here.

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