DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) - The community mourned the loss of a local hero on Monday afternoon.

The Duluth Fire Department shared on Facebook that a retired firefighter, Steve Swanson, passed away unexpectedly over the weekend.

According to the fire department, Swanson was a Fire Equipment Operator and had just retired in May at the age of 52.

Swanson worked with the department for 15 years, working on:

7 Engine

4 Quint

2 Engine

1 Tower

“Steve’s caring nature and thoughtfulness will be remembered for years to come as his last wish was to provide others the gift of life through organ donation,” said the Duluth Fire Department.

Multiple organizations participated in a send-off in honor of Swanson.

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