Beloved Shrewsbury Firefighter Dies From Cancer, Ruled Line-Of-Duty

SHREWSBURY, MA - As Shrewsbury continues to mourn the loss of a beloved firefighter, his cause of death has been determined.

The Shrewsbury Fire Department said that firefighter Walter "Wally" Wagner's death was a line-of-duty death from occupational cancer. The long-time Shrewsbury resident died on Saturday at 70 years old.

FF Wagner was born in Worcester and raised in Shrewsbury, according to his obituary.

In 1974, he graduated from Shrewsbury High School and became a fireman in Stow. He then moved to the Shrewsbury Fire Department from 1988 until his retirement in 2013.

When he wasn't working, he was happiest and most fulfilled when surrounded by family and friends, according to the obituary.

His family said he will be remembered for his kindness, compassion and his fun sayings, including his favorite “Do the whole thing!”

FF Wagner's services will be on Thursday and Friday at the following times:

• Wake: Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. at Britton-Shrewsbury Funeral Home
• Funeral: Friday at 10 a.m. at Saint Anne's Church

"FF Wagner dedicated a long career of service to our community. Wally was a well-respected and loved member of our department," wrote the Shrewsbury Fire Department in a statement. "He was an example of the kind of person we all aspire to be, a true gentleman."