Firefighting pilot Mike Fournier had flown helicopters for years.
He'd drop water over wildfires. He'd follow traffic for a SoCal TV station. He'd even dangle utility workers for Cal Edison, in high-risk maneuvers.
"He was the guy that would fly, and dangle the linemen from their line, and land them on towers," says Mike's wife, LeAnne Fournier. "He had a lot of lives in his hands, there. They trusted him, whole-heartedly."
His skill was obvious. His passion to help others was immeasurable. On August 19, Fournier died while battling the Hills Fire in Central California, doing what he loved.
"He was a light, for sure," says LeAnne, tearfully.
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Her husband was not just a pilot, or a firefighter - Mike was a father of two beautiful girls, and powerful presence for the entire SoCal community. He was also a former high school football coach, an aspiring Iron Man, and he loved CrossFit.
"He was truly, very strong! Strong as an ox!" exclaims LeAnne. "He just loved to give his all, and his heart, all the time. Whether it was your first day in the gym, or you'd been there for years, he made you feel like you were the strongest and you could do whatever you set your mind to. Everybody left that gym feeling that way, because of him!"
Cynthia Traux is the owner of Cyn's Crossfit Gym in Rancho Cucamonga, where Mike trained and coached. She's known Mike and his family for nearly 25 years, and she says the firefighting pilot inspired people of all ages.
"Especially teenagers," says the gym owner. "He just had a way of listening. It didn't matter if you were male or female, young or old. He could just hone-in on things that mattered with you."
Mike's wife LeAnne said the stories are endless, regarding the number of lives he affected. "They all said the same things. That he was the nicest guy with the biggest smile, and that he always made [people] feel good about [themselves]."
A GoFundMe page has been set-up to help Mike Fournier's family.
A special tribute for Mike has also been posted by Cynthia Truax of Cyn's Gym CrossFit in Rancho Cucamonga.
