The Brussels-Union-Gardner Fire Department said goodbye to one of its own Thursday after announcing that longtime member Ryan Chaudoir lost his battle with cancer.

The Brussels dairy farmer joined the BUG Fire Department in 2004, serving the community for more than 20 years before stepping away from the service due to ongoing cancer treatments.

BUG Fire Chief Curt Vandertie called Chaudoir “a dedicated firefighter, loving husband, dad, brother, son and the most genuine friend anyone could ever hope for” in a tribute he posted Thursday night.

“His contagious smile, his kind laughter and helping hand are forever ingrained in us,” Vandertie wrote. “Ryan’s passion in his faith and the prayerful example he set for everyone made us better every day we knew him.”

More details about services for Chaudoir will be announced in the coming days.