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MARQUETTE -- It was supposed to be a light-hearted afternoon on Joe December's boat.  But on Sunday, September 19 of last year, December, along with fellow retired firefighter Neal Green and their two wives, were out near Little Presque Isle when their boat began taking on water and capsized.

The women were rescued by the Coast Guard, but both men drowned.

"It was quite a shock when we found out who it was, and they're well-known around Marquette County, and we really miss them a lot," says retired firefighter Dan Dagenais.

Joe and Neal worked at the Marquette Fire Department for more than 25 years before retiring in the mid-'80s.

"Neal, he was a people person I guess you could say, in the department and out of the department," Dagenais remembers.  "Joey, he was a fun guy to be around.  He was one of the first to get the game going."

The pair were instrumental in organizing the first Pigs 'n Heat game 28 years ago.  At the time, they'd only planned to benefit a single family that had lost everything in a house fire.

Now the Pigs 'n Heat fund is a lifeline for fire victims in Marquette County.

"As soon as the tragedy happened, we knew that we would be doing something to honor them at this game," says Brian Olson, president of the Pigs 'n Heat fund.  "They were well known in the community, well liked, and very dedicated firefighters.  They were just the kinds of guys that were honorable, great citizens, and people that are well deserved of being honored at this game."

Wednesday night there will be a few words said about Joe and Neal before a memorial is revealed, representing the two.

Also new this year, the department has created a most valuable player award, which will now be presented every year in their name and memory.