Bainbridge funeral procession for island native, Seattle firefighter

Services are planned for early next week to honor a Bainbridge Island native, Poulsbo resident and Seattle firefighter.

Services are planned for early next week to honor a Bainbridge Island native, Poulsbo resident and Seattle firefighter.

Joseph Russell Kane, 50, died in a white-water rafting accident in western Idaho Friday, June 27.

Kane and his son were thrown from a raft on the Salmon River while on a Boy Scouts trip.

Rafting guides were able to find and rescue Kane’s son quickly after the accident.

According to the Nez Perce County Sheriff’s Office, Kane was found about 10 to 15 minutes later unconscious, floating face down in the water.

Kane was volunteering with his son’s Boy Scout venture crew for the rafting trip.

When the raft entered an area of the river known as The Slide, the two were ejected.

Guides attempted CPR before Kane was transported to St. Joseph Medical Center in Lewiston.

He was later pronounced dead.

“We are sad to confirm the death of a parent of one of our youth members while on a Venture crew outing at North Idaho High Adventure Base located in Riggins, Idaho,” officials from the Boy Scouts of America said in a statement.

“The health and safety of our volunteers and youth members is of paramount importance to the Boy Scouts of America. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of this individual and we will support them in any way we can.”

Kane was born and raised on Bainbridge Island and graduated from Bainbridge High School.

His parents Tom and Margie Kane continue to make their home on Bainbridge, while he resided in Poulsbo with his wife Stacie and children Mick and Joey.

He is also survived by his sister Jennie Kane of Seattle, his extended family and brothers and sisters at the Seattle Fire Department.

Kane dedicated 23 years to the Seattle Fire Department before his passing and was stationed in West Seattle.

Kane’s body is being flown to Boeing Field today. From there, the Seattle Fire Department will escort him to the Seattle ferry to Bainbridge Wednesday afternoon. A funeral procession will continue on Bainbridge to the Cook Family Funeral Home.

Family and friends are invited to attend the visitation from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, July 8.

The Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow at St. Cecilia Catholic Church on Bainbridge.

A private burial will be held at the Kane Cemetery.