‘He was a friend to everyone’: Town of Mitchell remembers fallen firefighter

Cody Feltz, a beloved pillar in the community, is being remembered as a courageous soul. CTV’s Jeff Pickel has more.

The Town of Mitchell and community of West Perth is mourning the loss of a beloved community member.

On Dec. 12, Cody Feltz, 35, passed away suddenly while finishing up a shift working for the Township of West Perth.

Feltz leaves behind his wife Kelsey and two young children, Leila and Levi.

Feltz also served as a volunteer firefighter with the West Perth Fire Department (WPFD) since 2011.

“From the beginning, we knew who we had - a remarkable, dedicated leader, somebody that everybody in this building has looked up to for a long time,” said Mike Montgomery, chief of WPFD.

In 2019 Feltz was promoted to captain with WPFD as he continued to work in the operations department of West Perth Township.

Feltz received a promotion to shift supervisors just weeks before his passing.

“Cody had such a presence about him. He was a natural leader. He was a friend to everyone. He had this great smile that could really light up the room,” said Adam Ryan, who worked with Feltz at the township.

Feltz also had a passion for sports including rugby and played with the Stratford Black Swans Rugby Club.

“He was viscous on game day but after he was the biggest teddy bear walking around here having a pint after the game,” said Jeff Wood, head coach of the Black Swans.

Woods said Feltz was imposing on the field and it would often take several players to tackle Feltz.

“If you’re going to tackle him - you’re going to get hurt. The heart was right there. The mindset was there. I think Cody was pretty special,” said Wood.

Those who knew Feltz said he cherished his family.

“Seeing how he was outside of here with his family and raising his kids and loving his wife, and just how special he was to so many people. He was everything you would want to be in a father,” said Montgomery.

A celebration of life is being held at the Mitchell Community Centre Dec. from 2 to 6 p.m.

In support of Cody’s children, donations may be made by e-transfer to [e-mail].