MESA, AZ (AZFamily) — An East Valley fire department is mourning the loss of a firefighter with over two decades of service.

Mesa Fire and Medical Department announced the death of Engineer Paul Shupe on Monday. Shupe, 58, had a distinguished career of over 20 years serving the Mesa community.

Shupe fought a courageous battle against glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, after being diagnosed in October 2024, according to Mesa Fire.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy, who has been a dispatcher in Mesa for over 10 years, and their four children.

“Paul wasn’t just a colleague, he was my brother in the fire service and my friend,” Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman said in a statement. “I had the privilege of serving alongside him and witnessing the courage, compassion, and dedication that defined h

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