11-year-old D-F boy who battled brain tumor surprised with ‘fire truck’ golf cart

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Brayson Dunton has the mindset to help others as often as he can, but the Dover-Foxcroft youth has been challenged in recent years by his battle with a brain tumor.

The 11-year-old son of Darek and Jennifer Dunton fought his medical issues in great part through his love of firefighting — he’s already an honorary member of both the Newport and Dover-Foxcroft fire departments.

Photo courtesy of Breezy Photography
FIRE TRUCK GOLF CART — Brayson Dunton, 11, of Dover-Foxcroft, rides in his new firetruck-themed golf cart driven by his grandfather Rick Getchell on May 14. The golf cart was a Make-A-Wish gift to Dunton, who has been battling a brain tumor.

“When Brayson got his last treatment a while ago, we made up a work shirt for him, we gave him a hat, we made him an honorary junior fireman and he was welcome in the station anytime,” Dover-Foxcroft Fire Chief Joe Guyotte said. “That made his life.”

Brayson’s relationship with firefighting took yet another turn late Thursday afternoon, May 14 as Make-A-Wish Maine gifted him with a firefighter-themed golf cart at the end of a procession featuring more than 30 firetrucks and law enforcement vehicles from Dover-Foxcroft, Newport and more than a dozen surrounding towns.

The surprise left the fifth-grader and many others in tears.

“He said, ‘Mumma, I couldn’t take it anymore, I just had to go to my knees,’” his mother Jennifer Dunton said. “He is such a humble kid — the tears flow when he realizes this is all for him.”

Photo courtesy of Breezy Photography
YOUNG FIREFIGHTER — Brayson Dunton, 11, of Dover-Foxcroft gives a thumbs-up during a procession during which he received a firetruck-themed golf cart from Make-A-Wish Maine. With Dunton is Dover-Foxcroft Fire Chief Joe Guyotte.

Brayson’s new vehicle, donated by Five Star Golf Carts, was dubbed “Engine #1 Dover-Foxcroft,” and Guyotte announced that there will never be another Engine #1 in the town’s fleet.

“Here’s a kid who’s gone through hell, but he’s got a spirit that he’s going to lick this and I really, really hope he does,” the chief said.

After the emotional presentation, Brayson and his grandfather, Rick Getchell, served as grand marshals of the ceremony’s exit parade.

“His ‘Bampa was a firefighter, so he’d take Brayson and Brayson’s sister [Ava] to the fire station and show him all the trucks and let him sit in them when he was younger,” Jennifer Dunton said. “He is also such a helper — he loves helping people and making their day.”

“I am just super proud to be his mom,” she added. “We have friends and family who unfortunately are going through cancer treatments themselves, [and] the fact they use his positivity and strength to get through their tough times is humbling. 

“My boy is getting them through, that is just crazy to me,” she said.