Young Boston firefighters death shines light on occupational cancer: It needs to stop NBC Boston [Video]

The death of a young Boston firefighter has advocates calling for increased awareness for occupational cancer.

Mat Troy, a Boston firefighter, lost his battle with cancer Wednesday. He was just 32 years old.

Troy was diagnosed with the illness in September of 2022, but his positive attitude never changed, even during his final weeks in the hospital.

“He was always funny, witty, quick,” said childhood friend and Quincy firefighter Shawn Clancy. “He’s always making sure that everybody him has a smile on their face.”

Troy and Clancy, a fellow Marine, played youth hockey together. After Troy’s cancer diagnosis, Clancy helped organize a hockey game between their fire departments, raising $40,000.

“Being able to do that for him, and show him how the community loves him, and that he wasn’t in that fight alone, meant a lot to him,” Clancy said.

Dan Ranahan, another Boston firefighter, was also a source of …