Maple Grove Firefighters Mourn Loss of One of Their Own
The Maple Grove Fire Department is mourning the loss of one of its own. Captain Mike Paidar was diagnosed earlier this year with acute myeloid leukemia, a rapidly progressing blood cancer. He was recently hospitalized and doctors discovered the cancer had spread. Unfortunately, treatment efforts were not successful. Paidar passed away Aug. 26.
Maple Grove Firefighter Mike Paidar passed away from cancer Aug. 26.
“The Captain was a Great Teacher”
Paidar was a full-time firefighter and medic for the St. Paul Fire Department. On his off-hours, he was a paid-on-call firefighter at Maple Grove Station 5. He joined the Maple Grove Fire Department in January 2005.
“The Captain was a great teacher and had an excellent way of teaching new fire personnel. He taught medical emergency response to the academy,” said Maple Grove Fire Chief Tim Bush.
His death is a difficult loss for the department.
“Paidar had a great sense of humor, and his personality was larger than life, literally. He was 6 foot 8, or 6 foot 9. He was a giant of a man. Everybody well respected him. He will be greatly missed,” said Bush.
Paidar is survived by his wife and two adult children.
