Michael Crowley, a call firefighter for the city of Saco and longtime chef at the Maine College of Art in Portland, died Thursday after a 19-month battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 49.

A celebration of his life will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at First Congregational Church of Scarborough, 161 Black Point Road. He will be carried on Engine 8 accompanied by an honor guard from the North Saco Fire Station to the church.

Mr. Crowley of Saco was a call firefighter and emergency medical technician for the Saco Fire Department for about six years. He was based at the North Saco Station.

“Michael was a dedicated firefighter,” Fire Chief John Duross said Tuesday. “He loved fire service. He was dedicated to the department and the people that lived in and around the area of the city.”

His brother Kevin Crowley, also a firefighter in Saco, said he had a passion for helping people. He recalled a letter his younger brother wrote to Duross when he found out he was sick. In it, Michael Crowley noted the day he held an elderly woman’s hand as they waited for an ambulance to arrive at the scene of an accident. He told another story about him leading a horse out of a burning barn.

“It wasn’t about the guts and glory, … it was truly about helping people,” he said. “That fit so well with my brother because that’s who he was. The fire department is a brotherhood. They, as a department, put their arms around our family and supported us tremendously.”

Crowley is survived by his wife, Karen Crowley of Saco. The couple would have celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary on Wednesday. He also leaves a 12-year-old daughter, Morgan Crowley.

He was remembered this week as a devoted family man, a hard worker and an excellent father.”He was a wonderful human being,” his brother said. “We were blessed to know him. He was a giver, not a taker. He spent his whole time on Earth giving to people and expected nothing in return. I’ve seen it. I spent almost every day of my life with him”

Mr. Crowley’s brother spoke with pride and admiration about a man he looked up to his entire life. “I loved him so much,” he said. “We spent countless hours fishing, working in the garage doing projects, camping, spending time with our families together, going to church and fighting fires.”

Mr. Crowley had worked as a chef for the Maine College of Art for several years.

He had a strong connection with animals and enjoyed taking care of his dogs, as well as his chickens and rabbits.”

When Mr. Crowley got sick, he bought an antique tractor and restored it with his brother. The restored tractor is on display at the Cumberland County Fair.

Mr. Crowley was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on Valentine’s Day in 2013. He spent the next 19 months fighting his cancer and living life to its fullest.”He fought a tremendous battle with cancer – like a hero, like a gentleman, like a man with faith and he accepted it,” his brother said. “He spent his entire 19 months teaching us how to let him begin his journey to heaven.”

Mr. Crowley’s illness put a financial strain on his family. Shortly before he died, he learned he lost his life insurance. The family said that in lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Michael Crowley Cancer Fund, Saco Valley Credit Union, 500 Main St., Saco, ME 04072.