Brunswick firefighter whose cancer battle spurred son’s push for screenings dies

The fire chief whose cancer battle NewsChannel 13 recently reported on has died.

Dave Plew, assistant chief for the Brunswick Volunteer Company No. 1, died on Saturday, Oct. 5 from Stage 4 kidney cancer.

Dan Levy recently spoke with Plew’s son, Matt Plew, about his push to get early cancer screenings for firefighters. Plew said his father’s surgeons and oncologist attributed his cancer to his more than three decades of fighting fires. 

Matt Plew said in a post on Facebook that God “needed a fire chief up in heaven” and called his father home at 9:45 a.m.

“This will never make sense how my dad has now passed away at age 56 years old, but I feel comfort knowing my dad’s story is going to save other firefighters in the fire service going forward. Life is so short, this cancer ran through my dad in just 2 short months from start to finish. Hug your loved ones and always tell them you love them. I am going to miss you so much Dad aka Brunswick 1 Car 2. I hope I am half the firefighter and father you have been throughout your lifetime.”

There was no immediate word on funeral services.