Downtown Vancouver streets closed for firefighter's funeral procession

Several streets in downtown Vancouver were temporarily closed Thursday morning for a funeral procession and motorcade to honour a firefighter with Vancouver Fire Rescue Services.

The Vancouver Fire Fighters' Union Local 18 hasidentified the deceased as Ron Renville, 47, who worked as a firefighterand acting lieutenant for 18 years.

An obituary described Renvilleas someone who "lived his life with kindness, respect, integrity and unconditional love."

He died in hishome on May 4, according to theobituary.

Firefighters from around the Lower Mainland gathered at First Baptist Church for the funeral.

The following streets were closed for the uniformed procession marches to the service and a final motorcade procession:

• Smithe Street/Haro Street from Burrard Street to Thurlow Street (8- 9:30 a.m.)
• Thurlow Street from Haro Street to Nelson Street (9-10 a.m.)
• Nelson Street from Thurlow Street to Burrard Street (9-10 a.m.)
• Nelson Street from Thurlow Street to Burrard Street (11:30 a.m.-noon)
• Burrard Street from Nelson Street to Smithe Street (11:30 a.m.-noon)

In a traffic advisory, the fire service askedfor the public's patience and co-operation "to honour the fallen and pay respects to a family in their darkest hour."