Richard Supple
Badge #
____-1903
LODD
While fighting a fire at Moirs & Sons, Supple was sick and it is stated in the newspaper article that he overexerted himself and never recovered from this.
Richard Supple’s death certificate states that he died on March 21, 1903 of Brights kidneys disease, which was the result of the Moirs fire.
It is interesting to note that in the newspaper article on the fire at Moir”s and Son that neither one of the firefighters that died were named as having been injured.
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From The Acadian newspaper:
“The Last Call!”
DEATH OF RICHARD SUPPLE, A YOUNG MEMBER OF H. F. D.
The second victim of Moir Son & Co’s recent big fire.
Richard P. Supple aged 29, one of the best known young men in the South End, and a member of the Halifax Fire Department, is dead at his home, 42 Hollis street. The end came on Sunday night about 8 o’clock, after nearly three weeks of intense suffering. Deceased was injured at Moir Son & Co’s big fire. At that time he was suffering from a cold and besides being wet and exposed to the elements for about three hours, he injured himself from over-exertion, and death ensued as stated above. Deceased had been a fireman about two years, but he was only recently appointed to the permanent force, and had he lived he would have received his first quarter’s salary $20.00 about, the first of May.
In the death of Richard Supple a young and estimable citizen is removed from our midst. His life, though a short one was characterized by all that is good and noble. At an early age he was left without, a father, and became the life and consolation of his widowed mother. Them she died, and he was left with two younger brothers to face the world, By hard work, and by honesty and energy. He conquered the trying periods of his boy hood, and led a life of soberness and industry that soon gained for him the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact.
About 18 months ago he married Miss Phoebe McDonald (sister of Jas. MacDonald, at Jas. Duggan & Sons) and made for her and himself a happy, modest little home. He was a young man that always looked upon the bright side, and it was difficult to find him without a smile on his face. He had a good word for everyone was a pleasant companion, and was a great favorite in St. Mary’s Young Men’s Society and among the members of the H.F.D. On Saturday evening, shortly after 7 o’clock, he asked for a cup of tea, and spoke kindly and cheerfully to his young, wife and it was felt then that he might rally. But not so; a few moments later he began to sink, and with his eyes fixed upon a picture of the Blessed Virgin, he passed peacefully into eternity with his faithful wife and friends kneeling at his bedside. Deep sorrow indeed has been cast over a great section of this community by his death, and the window will have the sympathy of all in her deep and irreparable loss. The window, an infant babe and two brothers survive- one of the latter being Michael Supple, Clark at the Queen Hotel. The funeral takes place to-morrow afternoon, and St. Mary’s Young Men and the Halifax Fire Dept, will attend. ‘’Rest, rest in peace, beloved friend. Sleep on till time itself shall end.