'He was always the positive spirit': Fund created for fallen Racine County firefighter's baby

 

RACINE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Two fire departments in Racine County are grieving after the death of Raymond Fire Department captain Maxwell Bayer.

The 31-year-old firefighter for both Racine and Raymond was killed Thursday in a motorcycle crash near Alpine Valley.

Now, the firefighting community is rallying around his family.

Fellow firefighters say they'll remember Bayer as a genuine, good person.

"He was always the positive spirit in the room," said Joe Carbajal, president of Racine Firefighter Local 321. "Being part of the firehouse, it's a second family, it truly is your brothers and sisters."

Carbajal said it's been difficult losing Bayer, and their focus is now on his family.

Bayer's wife, Caitlin, is 17 weeks pregnant with their first child.

"The family was very specific about not wanting anything for them, and just kind of wanting to get through this on their own," Carbajal said. "But we thought maybe one of the best ways to keep Max's memory alive is to provide for his unborn child."

The Racine and Raymond fire departments teamed up with the Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin Charitable Foundation to create a scholarship fund for Bayer's baby-to-be.

"I would love to make sure that when the time comes, there is no money out of pocket for college, or whatever path they decide to take," Carbajal explained.

He hopes the fund can make Bayer's family's life just a little easier after their tragic loss.

"We just want to make sure that Max's memory is embedded, that this child knows that their father was a hero and knows that we're always going to have their back," Carbajal said.

More than 100 people have already donated to the baby Bayer scholarship fund.

Bayer's services will take place Friday in Racine.