The Westport Fire Department says it will implement cancer prevention initiatives following the death of one of their own.

Turk Aksoy died Friday after a five-year battle with colon cancer. The doctors originally gave Aksoy three years to live.

Aksoy was a firefighter with the Westport Fire Department for 13 years. In January, his wife died unexpectedly.

The fire department believes Aksoy's cancer was occupational and related to the carcinogens they face daily on the job. Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Gootman says changes will be made to their daily routines.

"We know we're trying to implement as many cancer prevention initiatives as possible going forward," said Gootman. "Having Turk as our example of why we need to do this is going to help us try to keep our men and women safer."

Gootman said Aksoy was "happy all the time," even after his diagnosis.

A wake will be held Saturday for Aksoy. His funeral will be Sunday. Both are open to the public.

Aksoy leaves behind a son and a daughter, who are staying with their biological mother.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Aksoy's children.