Firefighter passes from occupational cancer

Jan 24, 2021

Retired firefighter David Wahlstrom has passed away due to occupational cancer.

Occupational cancer is cancer related to the carcinogens firefighters are exposed to during fires and at the firehouse.

Wahlstrom first joined the Wareham Fire Department in 1979 before spending time in service for the Marine Corp. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2017, and retired in 2019.

Last April, a parade of 58 cars drove by his home in honor of his 57th birthday.

In 2011, Wahlstrom was honored with a Meritorious award from Governor Deval Patrick during the 22nd annual Firefighter of the Year awards.

At the Board of Selectmen’s Jan. 26 meeting, the board unanimously voted to lower town flags for three days — the longest flags can be lowered — to honor Wahlstrom and former Wareham Police Officer and Selectman Dennis Damata, who also passed last week.

Note: This story has been updated to include additional information about the town’s decision to lower the flags in Wahlstrom’s honor.