It is said that emergency services always look after their own.
This morning at Barrie Fire Service headquarters, the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation did just that.
The organization awarded 24-year old Michael Gray a scholarship for his paramedic studies at Georgian College.
Gray's father, David, passed away of work-related brain cancer in 2010 after more than two decades on Toronto Fire.
The family has lived in Barrie for 23 years so it was fitting that the scholarship was presented here.
"Even though it's a few years ago that my dad passed they're still supporting me in what I want to do. It's great," Michael said as a contingent of fire officials and firefighters looked on.
Michael is in his second year of the primary care paramedic course.
At one time he thought he would follow in his father's footsteps but says his interest in medicine grew.
"I grew up with a firefighter dad and a nurse mom so I just kind of ended up that I took the middle, blended the two."
His mother Carolyn, now retired from nursing, was on hand for the presentation.
She said she was "super proud" of her son and moved by the ongoing assistance from the firefighter family.
"I'm gonna cry now. It's overwhelming the amount of support we've gotten since my husband died and actually throughout the whole process of him being ill. I don't know how other families get through it without that kind of support," she said.
"When my dad had radiation treatments the guys and past crews would get into fights over who got to drive him," Michael added.
David Gray was diagnosed with cancer in November 2008
He started with Toronto Fire in 1987.
The scholarship covers up to $6,000 dollars a year.
The Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation hands out about 3 awards a year.
"I love doing these things because I go to funerals, I go to other things that aren't that happy so I love doing presentations from the scholarship program," said CFFF President Bob Kirkpatrick.
Carolyn Gray went back to school for photography after retiring from nursing.
Now she and Michael will graduate from Georgian College together this spring.
"It's just something sweet to do together," said Carolyn.
Fire Chief John Lynn was in attendance for the presentation along with Barrie's three Deputy Fire Chiefs.
