Supporting Family of Fallen NK Firefighter

For most of Captain David Mowbray’s 25-year career with the North Kingstown Fire Department, he served as a rescue captain on one of the district’s ambulances. During that time, he responded to thousands of calls to help those in need throughout the community. This Friday, the community he served for more than two decades is looking to help give back to his family.

This past November, . The loss of Mowbray (which came sooner than friends and family expected) just before the holidays was exacerbated by the financial hardships that followed.

One of NKFD’s deputy chiefs reached out to the Rhode Island chapter of the 100 Club, an organization that helps support families of police officers or firefighters who die in the line of duty. Though Mowbray was an active duty firefighter at the time of his death, his family was not eligible for the 100 Club’s financial assistance because Mowbray did not die in the line of duty.

Jim Grundy – the benefits chair for Rhode Island’s 100 Club, as well as a North Kingstown resident and member of the town’s planning commission – came up with an alternative way to help the family. He suggested a fundraiser pasta dinner and even offered for his business, Atlantic Control Systems, to cover the cost of food so the money would go straight to the Mowbray family.

Grundy said the extra effort is the least he could do to help the NK firefighters. In 2008, the NKFD tried to save Grundy’s business from a fire. Despite their efforts, the 12,00 sq. ft. building on Dry Bridge Road burnt to the ground.

“They really went above and beyond to try to help us out,” said Grundy.

From there, fellow firefighter Chris Beattie has taken over the reins with organizing the event, hoping to alleviate some of the responsibility and pressure off the Mowbray family.

Aside from the copious amounts of pasta and meatballs, the event will feature raffles (with prizes ranging from gift baskets to gift certificates, donated by local businesses).

Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children and seniors.

Advanced tickets can be purchased through:

• North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce   8045 Post Road, North Kingstown | 401-295-5566
• North Kingstown Fire Department Headquarters  8150 Post Road, North Kingstown, lower level

Donations can also be made to “Friends of David Mowbray” c/o North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce, 8045 Post Rd., North Kingstown, RI 02852.