By Janet Eastman
The Oregonian
HILLSBORO, Ore. — An off-duty Hillsboro firefighter and paramedic died Friday, Nov. 3, when a tree fell on him during a hunting trip in the mountains of northeast Oregon’s Morrow County.
Ryan Grimaldi, 31, had worked for Hillsboro Fire & Rescue for six years, according to department spokesman Bruce Montgomery.
“Ryan and another Hillsboro firefighter were hunting in a remote area, and somehow Ryan was hit by a falling tree,” said Montgomery. “The other firefighter, a trained EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), did what he could, but Ryan died on the scene.”
On Sunday, members of the Hillsboro fire department and other firefighters and their families will gather around noon in Heppner, near the site of the accident, to escort Grimaldi’s body back to Crown Memorial Center in Tualatin.
A memorial is planned for Saturday, Nov. 11. The place has yet to be determined.
“We will need a large venue because Ryan was so well regarded,” said Montgomery, who is coordinating with Grimaldi’s family and his fiancee, who is a Lake Oswego firefighter. “There will be a large turnout from Ryan’s firefighter family, and members of the community he worked with.”
A post on the department’s Twitter account referred to Grimaldi as “One of Hillsboro Fire Department’s Finest.”
Grimaldi was an active volunteer for the Hillsboro Firefighters Random Acts charity organization, and organized the holiday food and toy drive, working with the Hillsboro Elks Lodge and other groups.
He was the coordinator of the program for several years, including in 2015 when Toy N Joy Makers distributed more than 50,000 gifts to families.
Grimaldi, who grew up in Gresham and lived in Banks, was voted Hillsboro Firefighter of the year in 2015 by fellow firefighters because of his diligence, hard work and positive attitude.
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“Ryan was instrumental in the Toy N Joy program, working with businesses and the community,” said Montgomery. “His efforts touched a lot of people.”
As requested by firefighters, a chaplain has been praying alongside Grimaldi’s body and will be part of the procession on Sunday to the Tualatin mortuary. Others will follow in fire trucks, vans and cars.
Firefighters plan to wear mourning bands over their badges on the day of Grimaldi’s memorial service.
Operation Chief Scott Magers said in a news release, “Ryan was an outstanding firefighter and member of the Hillsboro Fire Department family. Ryan served the department and the community well. He will be greatly missed.”
In February, Grimaldi was promoted to engineer and trained to operate the department’s fire engines and ladder trucks.
“Ryan was also a paramedic, the highest level of emergency response,” said Montgomery.
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