Santa Cruz Fire honors Captain Brian Tracy with Line of Duty Death service
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) Update MAY 25, 2023, at 11:34 A.M.- The Santa Cruz Fire Department said their final goodbye to one of their own on Saturday.
Captain Brian Tracy passed on April 27, after a two-year battle with brain cancer. Several agencies were also in attendance to help honor Captain Tracy.
We will always remember Captain Tracy for his love and dedication to the fire service and to the brothers and sisters he worked with. But I think what we what we remember most is Brian’s love and devotion to his daughter Stella and his wife Stephanie.
Captain Tracy’s life was cut too short by cancer and Santa Cruz Fire will always feel incomplete by our loss. You will always be in our hearts and soul Guido. Rest easy our brother and friend.
Santa Cruz Fire Department
Santa Cruz Fire will hold procession for deceased Captain Brian Tracy
Update MAY 9, 2023, at 4:18 P.M.- The Santa Cruz Fire Department held a formal procession Wednesday for a captain who passed after two years battle with brain cancer.
Beginning at 11 a.m., his body was moved from Benito & Azzaro Chapel on Cayuga to the crematorium on Old San Jose Road. People who wanted to pay their respects were lined up along the streets.
Sailing charter to host Celebration of Life for Santa Cruz Fire Captain Brian Tracy
Chardonnay Sailing Charters announced the fundraiser they planned for a Santa Cruz Fire Captain with inoperable stage four brain cancer will now be a celebration of life after Brain Tracy passed away quietly Thursday night.
This event will take place on May 7 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are available to attend, and all proceeds will go to Captain Tracy's wife and daughter.
Donations to attend the event start at $100 per ticket, and it is a cash-only event. Of the 42 seats available, there are 13 spots remaining, Chardonnay Sailing Charters told KION.
Complimentary pizza, beer, wine, soft drinks, and water will be available, and check-in will start at 12:30 p.m.
Call the Chardonnay sailing office for more information and to reserve your seats on this sail at 831-423-1213.
People who can't attend the event can still donate to help Captain Tracy's family here.
Santa Cruz Fire Captain passes after two-year battle with brain cancer
Update April 28, 2023, at 12:08 P.M.- The Santa Cruz Fire Department announced that Captain Brian Tracy passed quietly Thursday night after a two-year-long battle with brain cancer.
Captain Tracy was born and raised in Sant Cruz and graduated from Harbor High School in 1999. He followed in his father's footsteps by becoming a Santa Cruz Firefighter.
Brian was excellent at his craft and rose quickly through the ranks, eventually being promoted to Fire Captain in 2020. As a member of the fire service, he served his community, and the greater state of California with commitment, honor, and professionalism. Brian had a knack for training, and eagerly gave back to future generations of Firefighters by becoming part of the County's live fire training Cadre.
The loss of Brian leaves a gaping hole in our small fire department and Brians family. Please keep our firefighting family and Brian’s family in your thoughts and prayers.
Santa Cruz Fire Department
Santa Cruz Warriors helping fundraise for fire captain with inoperable brain cancer
Update March 8, 2023, at 5:32 P.M.- The Santa Cruz Warriors said they plan to honor a Santa Cruz Fire Fighter who is trying to spend as much time with his family after being diagnosed with inoperable Stage 4 brain cancer.
Whiting’s Foods is donating $1 for each draft beer and popcorn sold during the game to the family’s GoFundMe page. The page has already raised over $56,000 to help Captain Brian Tracy.
Family says they will be in attendance for the game and be sitting courtside. Tickets are still available for the game Saturday.
Tickets purchased at the Santa Cruz Fire Admin office (230 Walnut Ave) and Watsonville Fire admin (370 Airport Blvd) will go towards Brian and his family. Only cash payments will be accepted.
NetCom is also hosting a fundraiser at Woodstock's Pizza on 710 Front Street in Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz Fire Department says the fundraiser is from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday.
25% of all proceeds will go to Captain Brian Tracy and his family if you mention the fundraiser when ordering. This will be held on the same day as the Santa Cruz Warriors game that firefighters are selling tickets to fundraise for Captain Tracy as well.
"We thought it would be great to eat together before the Santa Cruz Warriors game that many of us are attending—to support Brian and his family even more!" said Santa Cruz Fire.
Santa Cruz Fire Captain needs help with inoperable Stage 4 brain cancer
The Santa Cruz Fire Department is asking for the communities help in giving one of their fire captains as much time with his family while fighting Stage 4 brain cancer.
Captain Brian Tracy was diagnosed with inoperable Stage 4 brain cancer. Brian and his doctors are working to keep cancer at its current size. Tracy has been with the fire department since 2006.
Brian Tracy's career fighting fires started when he was 25 years old when he worked for Santa Cruz Fire Department.
"My dad was a fireman here. So, I followed his footsteps," said Tracy. Tracy is now fighting for his life after his diagnosis back in 2021.
One of his fondest memories was when he was able to save two people from his first burning home.
"The guy grabbed me and said my dad is there," said Tracy. "So, I go back and tell my captain, and he says, find out without going in there, and we went in and pulled two people out."
Captain Tracy recently retired from the department after his diagnosis to give him as much time as possible with his wife, Stephanie, and daughter Stella.
Brian Tracy was born and raised in Santa Cruz. He graduated from Harbor High School in 1999 and followed in his father's footsteps by pursuing a career as a Santa Cruz City Firefighter.
Brian was excellent at his craft and rose quickly through the ranks, eventually being promoted to Fire Captain in 2020. As a member of the fire service, he served his community, and the greater state of California with commitment, honor, and professionalism.
Brian had a knack for training, and eagerly gave back to future generations of Firefighters by becoming part of the County's live fire training Cadre. This crucial Cadre keeps Firefighters at the forefront of their profession by teaching them about the ever-changing strategies and tactics of fire through training in live fire conditions.
GoFundMe for Captain Brian Tarcy
Not only is Tracy praised by his former colleagues for being an amazing firefighter, but his wife, Stephanie Tracy, tells KION that Tracy is a loveable husband and a great father to their 13-year-old daughter.
She says her favorite memory of Tracy was also her earliest memory of him, back when they first met.
"When I first met Brian, I came and did a ride along with him," said Tracy. "We were at a station in the Eastside and we spent a lot of time talking and getting to know each other."
Stellar is the name of Santa Cruz Fire Chief Robert Oatey, who described Tracy's 17-year trajectory at Santa Cruz Fire Department.
"As a firefighter, he is what everybody would expect, in terms when you picture or think of a firefighter," said Fire Chief Oatey."But more importantly, as a human and a friend, he is somebody unmatched by anybody in this fire department or anybody I've met in my lifetime."
Brian would like firefighters to have more cancer support. From state to federal government, that would help with cancer prevention, screening, and treatment.
Donations gathered will be used to offset medical costs and give Captain Tracy as much time with his family as possible. You can donate here.
Tickets for the Santa Cruz Warriors game on March 11 will also go toward Captain Tracy and his family. Only tickets purchased at the Santa Cruz Fire Admin office (230 Walnut Ave) and Watsonville Fire admin (370 Airport Blvd) will go towards Brian and his family.
Tickets can be purchased only with cash.
