The Portage County Water Rescue Team is selling Halloween T-shirts to raise funds to assist two team families impacted by cancer.
Bob Abbuhl, a firefighter with the Palmyra and Edinburg fire departments and a longtime member of the PCWRT, died Sept. 24 after battling pancreatic cancer since 2024.
“Three weeks ago, Bob’s doctors told him that the treatments were no longer working and were stopped,” the PCWRT posted on Facebook. “Bob and his wife traveled to [Ohio State University] in Columbus, and also to Chicago, but the prognosis was the same. After a very courageous fight, it breaks my heart to say that Bob passed away early this morning.”
The fundraiser also honors a Stark County family.
Caleb Hagan, the 11-year-old son of PCWRT member and Marlboro firefighter Joe Hagan, has been in and out of the hospital for the past month. Last week, he had additional tests and was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Burkitt’s Leukemia.
It is an aggressive form of cancer. Caleb has started treatments, but will be staying at the hospital for the next month.
“The doctors believe that he will have a positive outcome,” the post says.
The Edinburg and Palmyra fire departments also posted about Abbuhl’s death on Facebook.
“Bob has always had a servant’s heart to help others in their time of need,” the Edinburg Fire Department posted. “He was devoted to the fire service, his family and friends.”
He was with the Palmyra Fire Department for 18 years and officials there said he had a special fondness and expertise with operating the equipment.
“Even in the face of his own health struggles, Bobby’s commitment never wavered,” says the Palmyra post. “In his final months, while enduring the side effects of chemotherapy, he continued to answer emergency calls whenever he could. Knowing the risks of being immunocompromised, he still told his Chief that as long as the call wasn’t for someone who was sick, if he was able to help, he wanted to be there. That was Bobby − selfless, humble, and dedicated to the very end.”
The Palmyra Fire Department also lowered its flag to half staff in Abbuhl’s honor.
“Palmyra has lost a neighbor, a protector, and a friend,” the fire department posted. “We have lost a true hometown hero. Our hearts are broken, but we stand together to lift Bob’s family in love and support. May his legacy of quiet service, loyalty, and love continue to inspire us all.”
All proceeds from the T-shirt sales will be distributed between the Abbuhl and Hagan families. Deadline to order is Oct. 17.
The Halloween benefit T-shirts, along with other PCWRT merchandise, can be ordered at supporter.pcwrt.org.
“Please join us in supporting and sending positive thoughts and prayers to these two families,” says PCWRT’s post.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Portage water rescue group mourns member, as fundraising effort continues
Reporting by Ravenna Record-Courier / Record-Courier
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
