brian ritchie
Firefighter Lieutenant Brian H Ritchie, 50, of Follansbee WV died peacefully with his family by his side at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia on Tuesday, February 2 after a courageous battle with COVID-19 which he contracted in the line of duty. Brian was born on June 26, 1970 in Steubenville, Ohio. After graduating from Steubenville Big Red in 1988, Brian enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served his country in Iraq during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. After returning to the Ohio Valley in 1992, Brian made Follansbee, West Virginia his home and worked as a federal prison guard at the FCI Elkton, a federal prison in Columbiana County, Ohio. From a young age, Brian’s grandfather Henry Kaczmarek would often take Brian and his brother Kevin to visit the Steubenville Fire Department where their uncle was a firefighter. His passion for fighting fires grew from then. At the age of 14, Brian joined the Brilliant Ohio Volunteer Fire Department. He would listen for the sound of the fire whistle to fill the air so that he could assist the department on their calls. Brian was a dedicated volunteer fire fighter with the Hooverson Heights Volunteer Fire Department for 29 years. In his last year of eligibility, he took the civil service test, left a higher paying job and accepted a full-time position with the city of Weirton Fire Department. His 17-year-old son Caleb carries on the family tradition of serving with the Hooverson Heights Volunteer Fire Department along with Brian’s partner Sierra. Brian was currently the Assistant Chief at Hooverson Hights VFD and also serving as Lieutenant in the Weirton Fire Department. Brian loved spending time with his partner Sierra and son Caleb riding a side-by-side, shooting guns, umpiring local baseball games and rocking out to 80s hair bands. He also loved the Ohio State Buckeyes, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates and The Detroit Red Wings. Brian was preceded in death by his wife Karen Pickens Ritchie in 2014. He will be remembered with love and admiration by his son, Caleb Ray Ritchie; his long time partner Sierra Dunlevy; his mother Carol Kaczmarek Ritchie(Bill Corriston); his brother Kevin Ritchie; his sister Nikki Ritchie (Larry Vankirk); his brother, Mike Ritchie; and his sister, Jeannie (Brad) Burkhead. Public visitation will be held on Tuesday from 2:00 PM until 7:00 PM in the Weirton Room of the Millsop Community Center, where a funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Wednesday. Interment will follow at St. John’s Haven of Rest cemetery in Follansbee West Virginia, with graveside services conducted by the Weirton firefighters I.A.F.F. Local 948; The United States Air Force Honor Guard and the American Legion Post 10 Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to help Brian’s family may be made to Weirton Firefighters Association Local 948 PO Box 2353 Weirton, WV 26062. Share tributes and memories at www.grecohertnick.com 304 748 3219

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. I am so sorry for your loss, thoughts and prayers for his family and friends . Brian was a wonderful man and loved by all that knew him he will be missed by many . Gone way to soon .

  2. Carol, Bill & family-My sincerest condolences on the loss of your son & brother. May God give you strength in this most difficult time. Janet Stover

  3. May the love of God surround you and your family during this difficult time, May you come to know that the love of God is with you always, May your memories of Brian H. Ritchie, give you peace, comfort and strength… Rest now in the arms of our Lord your mission on earth is complete. I thank you for your service to our Country and my Freedom. You will not be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers to the family of …. US Air Force Veteran, Brian H. Ritchie, is “A True American Hero” God Bless† † Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 †

  4. Carol and kids, I am so sorry for your loss. So many of my childhood memories involve Carol and my mother, Rosie, having fun while we children played. Family vacations to Washington D.C. and building the “shack,” our ever changing cabin, in the woods behind our home. Rest in Power Brian.

  5. On behalf of the City of Shavano Park Fire Department, I offer our prayers and condolences to the Family and friends of Lt. Ritchie. Rest easy brother, Godspeed…

    Darrell Dover, Fire Chief, Shavano Park Fire Department

  6. Dear Caleb, You have my deepest sympathy on the passing of your dad. Follow your passion like your dad. Ms. Fadse

  7. My deepest sympathy for Carol, Kevin, Nikki, Jeannie and Mike and for all of Brian’s family. As I was once part of your family, I have many wonderful memories of you all. Brian and I may have parted ways many years ago, but he was a big part of my life for 5 years and I will remember him the way he was. Love to you all, Shelly Patterson (formerly Michelle Ritchie)

  8. To the family of Brian H. Richie My sincere & deepest sympathies go out to you on the loss of your wonderful son!! My thoughts & prayers are with you during this very difficult time!! ❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏 Thank you for your service in everything you did for our wonderful & great country!! Gone way to soon!!! To all your Fire Department family’s that lost your brother, my deepest sympathies go out to you all!! RIP BRIAN H. RICHIE YOUR FIRE DEPARTMENT BROTHER’S WILL TAKE IT FROM HERE!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR WONDERFUL SERVICE, BRIAN!! 🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️ ✝️🙏✝️🙏✝️🙏✝️🙏✝️🙏 ❤️🤗❤️🤗❤️🤗❤️🤗❤️🤗


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