Fallen Hillsboro Firefighter Leaves Behind Legacy Of Philanthropy

HILLSBORO, OR — When I walked into Hillsboro Fire Station #3 on Nov. 21, 2015, the first person to speak to me was Hillsboro firefighter Ryan Grimaldi.

I'd been tasked with writing a story on the annual ABATE Toy Run held in coordination with the Hillsboro Fire Department; Grimaldi was the department's Toy & Joy coordinator and my first point of contact — the man who would introduce me to everyone else. I'll never forget that meeting, as first impressions tend to stick.

Grimaldi was friendly and quick to help. He approached me with a smile and contagious excitement, and he seemed truly thrilled to talk about the program and why it's so important for the community around Christmastime.

"Firefighters are always helping," he'd said. "We want this to encourage others to get involved and help people, too."

Plenty of quotes like that get thrown around when reporters have their notebooks in hand, but from Grimaldi it had a different tone — something more genuine, I think.

I believe Grimaldi sincerely hoped his philanthropy and charitable attitude would radiate outward and influence others to get into the spirit of the season. I'll never forget that.

During a hunting trip in Eastern Oregon's Morrow County on Nov. 3, 2017, a falling tree struck and killed Grimaldi. He was 31 years old.

Along with his involvement with the Hillsboro Firefighters Random Acts group and Toy & Joy program, Grimaldi had been a firefighter and paramedic with the Hillsboro Fire Department for six years, earning a Firefighter of the Year award in 2015 from his peers.

In the department's press statement announcing Grimaldi's passing, Hillsboro Fire spokesman Bruce Montgomery referred to Grimaldi as "one of the Hillsboro Fire Department's finest."

On Sunday, a procession of firefighters escorted Grimaldi to a Tualatin mortuary. A memorial is scheduled for Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. at Liberty High School in Hillsboro, 7445 N.W. Wagon Way.

"Ryan was an outstanding firefighter and member of the Hillsboro Fire Department family," Operation Chief Scott Magers said in a statement announcing Grimaldi's death. "Ryan served the department and the community well. He will be greatly missed."

Photo Courtesy: Hillsboro Fire Department