Excerpts from dnainfo.com:
The same day the Chicago Bears won Super Bowl XX, the city lost Chicago Fire Lt. Edmond Coglianese.
Coglianese, 42, of Mount Greenwood, died while fighting a fire at the Mark Twain Hotel. He saved two elderly residents who were caught on the third floor of the residential hotel at 111 W. Division St. before he went back into the five-story building to search for more survivors. The 12-year veteran was later trapped by flames and died of smoke inhalation on Jan. 26, 1986.
A bell-ringing ceremony will be held at 8 a.m. Tuesday at Coglianese’s firehouse — Engine Co. 98 at 202 E. Chicago Ave. in the Gold Coast. The hardworking father left behind his wife, Eileen, and two children, Allyson and Matt.
In all, 35 senior citizens were rescued from the burning hotel using ladders. Another 100 people came out of the building through stairways.
Allyson Coglianese was just 12 years old and in the seventh-grade at St. Christina School when her father died. Her brother, Matt, was 9 years old and in the fourth-grade at the Catholic school in Mount Greenwood.
Coglianese carries memories with her as a member of the Gold Badge Society of Chicago. Allyson Coglianese serves as vice president of the group that helps support the families of fallen firefighters.
Her mother, Eileen Coglianese, is president of the society. Among their most gut-wrenching duties is to arrive at the hospital and later at the homes of families who are mourning the sudden loss of a firefighter or paramedic who has died in the line of duty.
Their shared experience is meant to help ease the overwhelming emotional toll that is suddenly thrust upon the family. They also help with the finer details such as funeral arrangements, media requests and other issues that come along after such a tragedy.
thanks Dan
