The Living Faith Community Presbyterian Church in Baxter was a sea of uniforms as first responders from across Simcoe County and beyond gathered to pay tribute to one of their own.
Terry 'Weapon' Weatherup was a District Fire Chief with Adjala-Tosoronto Fire and Rescue and beloved husband of 25 years of Barrie Firefighter Carrie Clark-Weatherup.
The 53-year-old was found collapsed last Thursday with vital signs absent beside his truck outside a Barrie store.
'The big heart suddenly stopped pumping and with it the nickname deeming, witty one-liner zinging, bear hug squeezing, and sage advice giving came to an end on February 15, 2018. Despite heroic efforts from all first responders, he had moved on to the next chapter of life,' his obituary read.
'Soulmate, confidante and beloved romantic husband to Carrie Ellen Clark-Weatherup for the last 25 years. From football and rugby to race rescue, hunting and firefighting, along with 30 years of millwrighting at Honda in Canada Manufacturing, he travelled the world making a big impression and friends at all stops along the way. Never one to suffer fools, he was loyal to those he loved and respected, no matter the circumstance.'
Tributes have been pouring in on social media for Weatherup.
"Words cannot express how heartbroken we all are of the sad news. District chief Terry Weatherup (also well known as Weapon) had the heart of gold and would help out anyone who needed it. No judgment, he was there. He will be severely missed but never forgotten. Our friend, our mentor, our brother. R.I.P. Weapon," the fire service wrote on Facebook.
Many of the mourners wore homemade name tags with nicknames Weatherup had given to them.
Following the service, mourners lined the driveway of the Church to pay a final salute to Weapon as the motorcade passed.
