'The most selfless man': Capt. Brian Wolnewitz of Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue dies of cancer
PALM BEACH GARDENS — A 44-year-old Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue captain died Tuesday after a two-and-a-half year battle with lung cancer.
Capt. Brian Wolnewitz died surrounded by family at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, his wife Julie announced on her Facebook page. He had entered hospice care at the hospital Monday.
A 20-year veteran of the fire department, Wolnewitz was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in January 2020. He received care for his illness at the Moffitt Cancer Center and at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle.
"Brian fought a brave and difficult fight against an insidious and horrific disease," a statement released by Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue Chief Keith Bryer read in part. "Yet, it couldn’t take away his will to live, to be there for his family, or to get back to the job he loved.
"His courage, despite the overwhelming odds, was a testament to his indomitable spirit. Brian was more concerned about how his cancer affected those he loved rather than how it affected him."
For subscribers: 'The best I could': Original Trauma Hawk crew member retires after 40 years of caring for patients
More: Jury rejects Acreage families' claim that Pratt & Whitney caused cancer cluster among children
'Cancer Moonshot': Jill Biden tours Palm Beach County health nonprofit
Wolnewitz grew up in Palm Beach Gardens and first met his wife while they served on the safety patrol at Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School.
He later graduated from Suncoast High School and attended the Florida State Fire College in Ocala. After joining the Palm Beach Gardens department, he rose to the rank of captain.
Worked to raise awareness about the risk of cancer to firefighters
After his diagnosis, Wolnewitz worked to raise awareness about the risk of cancer to firefighters, sharing his story on social media, and tapping into a network of active and retired firefighters that educates fellow firefighters.
Firefighters nationwide have called attention to the risk for more than a decade, noting that a wide range of cancer diagnoses are common among their ranks. Studies have found chemicals from burning substances can seep into firefighters skins and that repeated exposure can lead to health issues.
"His goal when he was diagnosed was to raise awareness and funds for those who will be in his same situation after he is gone," Julie Wark Wolnewitz wrote of her husband in her Facebook posting. " He did just that and then some. He is truly the most selfless man I have ever known."
In an August 2021 interview with The Palm Beach Post, Brian Wolnewitz said his diagnosis was the result of breathing in toxins while performing his duties as a firefighter.
"I've never smoked a day in my life,'' he said. "Every oncologist I've seen said I got this from breathing in toxins that my body didn't like on the job."
Wolnewitz said that prior to his diagnosis, fears of getting cancer from working fire scenes were on the "back burner" of his mind.
Want more Palm Beach Gardens news?
Sign up for our Post on Palm Beach Gardens weekly newsletter, delivered every Thursday!
"It wasn't until I took a class before being promoted to captain that I learned about the dangers of cancer in firefighters," he said. "Until it affects you or someone you love, it doesn't become tangible."
Besides his wife, Wolnewitz leaves four children. The family lives in Jupiter.
Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on Twitter at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach Gardens fire captain dies after two-year battle with cancer
