We received the following notification:
Retired Chicago Assistant Deputy Fire Commissioner and former Illinois State Fire Marshal Lawrence Matkaitis died Saturday, July 9, 2016.
In Memory of Lawrence “Larry” MatkaitisMay 25, 1948 – July 9, 2016Larry Matkaitis, Retired Illinois State Fire Marshal and Chicago Fire Department, age 68. Beloved husband of 38 years to Valerie; devoted father of Amber (Louis) Rivera and Daniel Matkaitis; “Big Lar” to Aliyah, Liliana and Anais; cherished brother of Jerry (Ruth) Matkaitis, Jimmy Matkaitis, Nancy (Jim) Sorensen and Kathy (Kurt) Uhlir; respected uncle to many; also survived by many dear family and friends. Visitation, Wed, June 13, 2016, 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. and Funeral Service Thurs, June 14, TIME TO BE ANNOUNCED at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 4727 W 103rd St, Oak Lawn, IL. Interment, Private. In in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Larry’s name may be made to Camp “I am Me” c/o Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, 426 W. Northwest Hwy, Mount Prospect, IL 60056. Info: www.blakelamboaklawn.com or 708-636-1193.
#1 by LT501 on July 10, 2016 - 12:20 AM
Chief Matkaitis’s wake will be this Wednesday from 3pm to 9pm at the Blake Lamb Funeral Home in Oak Lawn (103rd/Cicero). In lieu of flowers, his family asks that donations be made to Camp “I am Me” in care of the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance. More info, including his obituary, can be found at the Blake Lamb website. Although most remember Larry as the State Fire Marshal, I remember him best as a dedicated CFD Paramedic who worked his way up the ranks to oversee that entire program. He will be missed. RIP, Brother.