The West Palm Beach firefighting community is mourning the passing of Thomas “Toby” Wayne Harrison, a beloved former fire lieutenant, devoted father and respected member of the local firefighting family.
Known affectionately as Toby or Thomas, Harrison spent many years serving others through the City of West Palm Beach Fire Department, where he worked from 1995 to 2010.
His death has prompted heartfelt memories from former colleagues, friends, family members and others who knew him throughout his years of service.
Thomas “Toby” Harrison Remembered by West Palm Beach Firefighters
Harrison’s career with the City of West Palm Beach Fire Department spanned 15 years.
From 1995 through 2010, he worked alongside fellow firefighters and became part of the department’s close-knit community.
Tributes following his passing reflect the relationships he built during those years.
Among those who knew him, Harrison was affectionately called “The Godfather,” a nickname that reflected the special place he held within the department and the affection of those who worked alongside him.
His professional legacy remains closely connected to the firefighters and colleagues who shared those years with him.
A Career Dedicated to Public Service
For Harrison, firefighting represented years of service to the West Palm Beach community.
Working in a fire department requires dedication, teamwork and a willingness to serve others during some of the most difficult moments they may face.
Harrison’s 15 years with the department became an important chapter of his life and connected him with countless people.
Even after leaving the department in 2010, the friendships and relationships formed during his career continued.
That lasting connection is evident in the tributes being shared following his death.
Being a Father Was His Most Treasured Role
Although Harrison’s firefighting career was an important part of his story, his family remembered him first and foremost as Dad.
For those closest to him, his identity extended far beyond his former rank or years of public service.
He was a father whose presence and love shaped the lives of his family members.
The messages, calls and expressions of sympathy received following his passing reflect the affection surrounding the family during this difficult time.
For his loved ones, the memories of Thomas as a father will remain at the heart of his legacy.
Thomas Toby Wayne Harrison Obituary Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Thomas “Toby” Wayne Harrison |
| Known as | Toby / Thomas |
| Profession | Former fire lieutenant |
| Department | City of West Palm Beach Fire Department |
| Years of service | 1995–2010 |
| Nickname | “The Godfather” |
| Location associated with his career | West Palm Beach, Florida |
| Family role | Devoted father |
| Cause of death | Not disclosed |
| Date of death | Not provided |
| Funeral service | September 25, 2026 |
| Viewing | 4 p.m. |
| Service | 5 p.m. |
| Gathering | 6–8 p.m. |
| Funeral location | Quattlebaum Funeral Home, West Palm Beach |
| Additional celebration | Planned for October |
Funeral Service Planned for September 25
Family, friends, former colleagues and members of the firefighting community will gather to honor Harrison’s life on Friday, September 25, 2026, at Quattlebaum Funeral Home in West Palm Beach.
The viewing is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m., followed by the service at 5 p.m.
A gathering will continue from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., providing loved ones and members of the firefighting community an opportunity to come together, share memories and support one another.
The gathering is expected to bring together people from different chapters of Harrison’s life, including family members, longtime friends and former fire department colleagues.
Another Celebration of Life Planned for October
An additional celebration of Harrison’s life is also being planned for October.
The event will provide another opportunity for family members, friends and former colleagues to remember him and reflect on the life he shared with the people around him.
Further details about the October gathering can be shared by the family as arrangements are finalized.
More About Toby Harrison’s Life to Be Shared
While his firefighting career and role as a father are central to the tributes surrounding his death, additional details about Harrison’s early life and personal interests have not yet been publicly shared.
Information about his experiences outside the fire department, personal accomplishments and other aspects of his life may be included in a fuller tribute being prepared by his family.
That future remembrance may provide a broader picture of the person behind the firefighter and former lieutenant.
West Palm Beach Fire Community Mourns
The death of someone who spent years serving as a firefighter can affect an entire professional community.
Harrison’s time with the West Palm Beach Fire Department created relationships that continued long after his career ended.
Former colleagues now have the opportunity to remember the experiences they shared with him, while his family carries the memories of him in his most personal role as a father.
The combination of those relationships forms an important part of the legacy he leaves behind.
Remembering Thomas “Toby” Wayne Harrison
Thomas “Toby” Wayne Harrison will be remembered for his years of service, the friendships he developed within the West Palm Beach Fire Department and his devotion to his family.
His 15 years with the department placed him among generations of firefighters who helped serve the community, while his nickname “The Godfather” reflects the affection he earned among some of his colleagues.
For his family, however, his most important legacy was much more personal.
He was Dad.
As family, friends and former firefighters gather to honor his life, the stories they share will help preserve the memory of a man whose life was marked by public service, lasting relationships and devotion to the people he loved.
Disclaimer
This obituary is based on information shared following the passing of Thomas “Toby” Wayne Harrison. The available information identifies him as a former lieutenant with the City of West Palm Beach Fire Department who served from 1995 to 2010 and provides details about upcoming services. His exact age, date of death, cause of death and additional biographical information were not provided. No specific cause or circumstance should be attributed to his passing without confirmation from his family or another reliable source.