NORFOLK, Va. — Harbor Park — a venue meant typically meant for sports, fun and fireworks — welcomed a somber crowd Monday afternoon: those mourning the loss of Virginia Beach master firefighter Matthew Gallina.
Gallina, who served in the department for more than 20 years, passed away on August 21 after a battle with esophageal cancer, which the fire department has said was occupational.
Watch: Funeral procession for Matthew Gallina arrives at Harbor Park
As the event unfolded Monday, Virginia Beach firefighters who worked alongside Gallina spoke of their experiences working with him, side by side.
“His sense of humor is what I’ll miss the most," said Master firefighter Matthew Gifford, who joined the same battalion as Gallina just six months after Gallina did. "I’ve never laughed harder with a single human being as I did when I was in his presence.”
“He was not just a firefighter, he was a husband, father and friend,” said VBFD Assistant Chief Lorna Trent.
Other colleagues spoke about Gallina's impact to his friends and the great Virginia Beach community.
Gallina's wife Michelle delivered the eulogy for her husband.
She, too, spoke of his humor and love of life — even in the face of his cancer diagnosis.
Watch: Gallina's funeral procession arrives at Harbor Park
“My Matt approached life with a smirk,” Michelle said. “Through chemotherapy, amino therapy, radiation, and every side effect imaginable, he would still make jokes and flash his smirk.”
Michelle has been a fierce advocate for early cancer screenings for first responders, a point she emphasized in her speech Monday.
“If my Matt was a fighter than so am I,” Michelle said. “I promise to fight for early cancer screenings, to raise awareness, and to save lives. Matt’s sacrifice will not be in vain.”
VBFD Fire Chief Ken Pravetz, who spoke with News 3 last week in depth about Gallina's passing, also gave a speech at the event Monday.
“Let his legacy inspire us to push for the changes we need to keep our firefighters safe, long after they return from the cause,” said VBFD Fire Chief Ken Pravetz.
Watch: VB fire chief mourns loss of 20-year veteran
