Posts Tagged fire department funeral

Chicago Fire Department Lodd Firefighter Juan Bucio (more)

Excerpts from CBSchicago.com:

Chicago Fire Department diver Juan Bucio suffered from a rare heart condition that contributed to his death while he was trying to rescue a boater in the Chicago River on Memorial Day.

Bucio vanished in the river near 26th and Ashland around 8 p.m. He was pronounced dead after being pulled out several minutes later.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s report said Bucio had a rare heart condition that led to his death. The official cause of death as ruled by the medical examiner is asphyxia with depletion of air from his diving tank due to cardiac arrhythmia. Lymphocytic myocarditis is an inflammatory reaction in heart muscle – it usually happens after a viral infection as the heart tries to fight a virus, according to Dr. Kousik Krishnan, a Rush University Medical Center cardiologist.

That response can weaken heart muscle, give signs of heart failure, and also make someone at risk of dangerous rhythm problems, Krishnan said. The rare condition, combined with an irregular heartbeat, could prove fatal.

“While the Scuba equipment functioned properly, the decedent likely exhausted his primary air supply at some point during the dive. This in turn caused him to not be able to activate other safety equipment that would have kept him afloat, and thus he sank below the surface,” stated the Cook County Medical Examiner.

The Chicago Fire Department is continuing its own investigation into the circumstances surrounding Bucio’s death and will examine whether protocols were followed.

 

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Chicago Fire Department Lodd Firefighter Juan Bucio (more)

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Chicago Fire Department Lodd Firefighter Juan Bucio

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Chicago Fire Department Lodd Firefighter Juan Bucio (more)

Photos from Tim Olk of the funeral for Chicago FF/EMT Juan Bucio

Funeral for Chicago FF/EMT Juan Bucio 6/4/18

Tim Olk photo

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Chicago Fire Department Lodd Firefighter Juan Bucio (more)

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

Juan Bucio was a man of few words. Quiet but devoted. Stoic but determined. Disciplined and precise. Bucio preferred to let his work do the talking, family and his fellow firefighters said, whether it was in rescues or training. He was frequently first in team dive tests. He jumped out of a helicopter on Father’s Day to search for a boy missing near Jackson Park harbor.

Bucio’s sons, family, friends and firefighter family tried to press forward Monday, gathering for a funeral Mass to remember and salute their father, brother and comrade. During the bilingual service, family members described Bucio, a divorced father of two boys, ages 9 and 7, as the strong and quiet one.

Earlier Monday morning, firetrucks with black and purple bunting led a procession along Western Avenue to the doors of the church. Leading the way was the scuba team’s vehicle. Engine No. 13 carried Bucio’s casket, draped in the Chicago municipal flag on the back and Bucio’s fire jacket and helmet on the front.

Members of Bucio’s air and rescue team served as pallbearers and carefully unloaded the casket before heading in. One member of the team breathed heavily, clenching his fist as he fought back tears. Bucio’s sons, their gloved hands gently resting on the top of the casket and their heads bowed, led the pallbearers into the church.

At the end of the afternoon, when the procession arrived at the cemetery, a fire engine carried the casket to the burial site, followed closely by the Chicago Police Department’s mounted unit and the fire department’s air and sea rescue team, who marched in formation.

A priest eulogized Bucio, noting the similarities between his last name and buzo, the Spanish word for diver. A duet of trumpeters played Taps. The bagpipers played Amazing Grace. And the honor guard folded the Chicago flag from the atop the coffin and presented it to Bucio’s family.

CFD FF/EMT Juan Bucio's funeral

A casket bearing the body of Chicago Fire Department diver Juan Bucio, 46, arrives on June 4, 2018, for the funeral at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel on the South Side of Chicago. Bucio died during a rescue attempt last week. Chris Walker / Chicago Tribune photo

CFD FF/EMT Juan Bucio's funeral

The family of fallen Chicago Fire Department diver Juan Bucio at his funeral at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel on June 4, 2018. E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune photo

CFD FF/EMT Juan Bucio's funeral

St. Procopius Pastor Fr. Gary Graf addresses the sons of fallen Chicago Fire Department diver Juan Bucio at his funeral at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel on June 4, 2018. E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune photo

CFD FF/EMT Juan Bucio's funeral

The funeral procession for Chicago firefighter Juan Bucio, 46, drives up North Harlem Avenue on the way to Mount Auburn Cemetery on June 4, 2018, in Stickney. Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune photo

CFD FF/EMT Juan Bucio's funeral

A casket bearing the body of Chicago Fire Department diver Juan Bucio, 46, is carried on June 4, 2018, to a ladder truck after Bucio’s funeral at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel on the South Side. Chris Walker / Chicago Tribune photo

CFD FF/EMT Juan Bucio's funeral

A casket bearing the body of Chicago Fire Department diver Juan Bucio, 46, is hoisted on June 4, 2018, to a ladder truck after Bucio’s funeral at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel on the South Side. Bucio died during a rescue attempt last week. Chris Walker / Chicago Tribune photo

CFD FF/EMT Juan Bucio's funeral

The funeral procession for Chicago Fire Department diver Juan Bucio arrives on June 4, 2018, at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Stickney. Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune photo

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Chicago Fire Department Lodd Firefighter Juan Bucio (more)

From CFDMedia on Twitter:

Funeral for Chicago Fire Department Firefighter Juan Bucio. 6/4/18

CFD Media photo

Funeral for Chicago Fire Department Firefighter Juan Bucio. 6/4/18

CFD Media photo

Funeral for Chicago Fire Department Firefighter Juan Bucio. 6/4/18

CFD Media photo

Funeral for Chicago Fire Department Firefighter Juan Bucio. 6/4/18

CFD Media photo

Funeral for Chicago Fire Department Firefighter Juan Bucio. 6/4/18

CFD Media photo

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Buffalo Grove Firefighter/Paramedic John Kevin Hauber; January 6, 1967 – January 27, 2018 (more)

Excerpts from the DailyHerald.com:

Firefighters Friday honored Buffalo Grove Firefighter/Paramedic Kevin Hauber, who died last weekend after a long battle with colon cancer.

Hauber’s casket was brought to St. Mary’s Church for the funeral on a fire truck as part of a procession of emergency vehicles.

thanks Dan

Buffalo Grove FF/PM John "Kevin" Hauber funeral 2/2/18

Larry Shapiro photo

Buffalo Grove FF/PM John "Kevin" Hauber funeral 2/2/18

Larry Shapiro photo

Buffalo Grove FF/PM John "Kevin" Hauber funeral 2/2/18

Larry Shapiro photo

Buffalo Grove FF/PM John "Kevin" Hauber funeral 2/2/18

Larry Shapiro photo

Buffalo Grove FF/PM John "Kevin" Hauber funeral 2/2/18

Larry Shapiro photo

Buffalo Grove FF/PM John "Kevin" Hauber funeral 2/2/18

Larry Shapiro photo

Buffalo Grove FF/PM John "Kevin" Hauber funeral 2/2/18

Larry Shapiro photo

Buffalo Grove FF/PM John "Kevin" Hauber funeral 2/2/18

Larry Shapiro photo

Buffalo Grove FF/PM John "Kevin" Hauber funeral 2/2/18

Larry Shapiro photo

Buffalo Grove FF/PM John "Kevin" Hauber funeral 2/2/18

Larry Shapiro photo

Buffalo Grove FF/PM John "Kevin" Hauber funeral 2/2/18

Larry Shapiro photo

Buffalo Grove FF/PM John "Kevin" Hauber funeral 2/2/18

Larry Shapiro photo

Buffalo Grove FF/PM John "Kevin" Hauber funeral 2/2/18

Larry Shapiro photo

Buffalo Grove FF/PM John "Kevin" Hauber funeral 2/2/18

Larry Shapiro photo

Buffalo Grove FF/PM John "Kevin" Hauber funeral 2/2/18

Larry Shapiro photo

Buffalo Grove FF/PM John "Kevin" Hauber funeral 2/2/18

Larry Shapiro photo

Buffalo Grove FF/PM John "Kevin" Hauber funeral 2/2/18

Larry Shapiro photo

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Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD (more) James F. Carney

Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD Lieutenant James F. Carney was laid to rest today.

Funeral for Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD Lieutenant James F. Carney

Tim Olk photo

Funeral for Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD Lieutenant James F. Carney

Tim Olk photo

Funeral for Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD Lieutenant James F. Carney

Tim Olk photo

Funeral for Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD Lieutenant James F. Carney

Tim Olk photo

fire department funeral

Tim Olk photo

fire department funeral

Tim Olk photo

fire department funeral

Tim Olk photo

Funeral for Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD Lieutenant James F. Carney

Tim Olk photo

Funeral for Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD Lieutenant James F. Carney

Tim Olk photo

Funeral for Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD Lieutenant James F. Carney

Tim Olk photo

Funeral for Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD Lieutenant James F. Carney

Tim Olk photo

Funeral for Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD Lieutenant James F. Carney

Tim Olk photo

Funeral for Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD Lieutenant James F. Carney

Tim Olk photo

Funeral for Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD Lieutenant James F. Carney

Tim Olk photo

Funeral for Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD Lieutenant James F. Carney

Tim Olk photo

Funeral for Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD Lieutenant James F. Carney

Tim Olk photo

Funeral for Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD Lieutenant James F. Carney

Tim Olk photo

Funeral for Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD Lieutenant James F. Carney

Tim Olk photo

Funeral for Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD Lieutenant James F. Carney

Tim Olk photo

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Pleasantview Fire District news (more)

more photos from Tim Olk of the funeral for former Pleasantview FD Chief Ed Switalski

Funeral service for Comstock Township MI Fire Chief Ed Switalski

Tim Olk photo

Funeral service for Comstock Township MI Fire Chief Ed Switalski

Tim Olk photo

Funeral service for Comstock Township MI Fire Chief Ed Switalski

Tim Olk photo

Funeral service for Comstock Township MI Fire Chief Ed Switalski

Tim Olk photo

full coverage of the funeral by Tim Olk can be seen HERE

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Decatur Fire Department news

Excerpts from the herald-review.com:

Decatur FD Engine 6 that Firefighter Micah “Bubba” Wakeman rode to the rescue of countless others carried him on his final journey home Tuesday. The 16-year department veteran, who lived in Mount Pulaski and also loved farming, died in a tractor rollover accident June 13. The married father of four children was just 43.

Wakeman’s colleagues and fellow firefighters from all over Central Illinois paid their respects and offered him one last salute. Then an honor guard carried their friend from the church as other hands rose in a slow-motion salute. Proceeding slowly, and led by squad cars, symbolically one each from Decatur Police and the Macon County Sheriff’s Office, the funeral procession moved off.

It was filled with other fire, police, and emergency vehicles as it wound its way on the 3-mile journey to the interment in Warrensburg. The funeral procession passed under a ceremonial arch formed by two aerial ladder trucks supporting an American flag snapping smartly in the breeze. The bright weather had matched the upbeat tone of Wakeman’s funeral service, which was described as a tribute to an extraordinary life well-lived rather than mourning one cut short far too soon.

Wakeman’s friend Tracy Dyer said “This is not a funeral, this is a celebration … of how one not-so-little man has made an impact here and all over the world from Uganda to Haiti, to Guatemala to the Ukraine …”

Wakeman’s strong Christian faith had led him on missions work to those countries and others and to serve as a foster parent for kids in need. He was described as a caring, conscientious, and hardworking man who spent almost every waking moment lending others a hand. 

And while the atmosphere was upbeat with occasional laughter at funny stories and memories, the sadness at the departure of a good and well-loved man was there, too. Sobbing from the mourners could be heard as a message was read out from 20-year-old daughter Ashton to her dad, describing how, for once, she was lost for words to say how she was feeling.

“But the thing I can think to say, and the thing that I think we all need to say, is ‘thank you’ … thank you, God, for letting us have some of my daddy in our lives, because not many people are blessed with a Micah Wakeman …”

There were more tears punctuating an intense quiet that fell over the church sanctuary at the end of the service as a lone firefighter prepared to ring a bell nine times in three sets of three rings, the traditional way firefighters salute and bid farewell to a comrade.

In a show of solidarity and support, firefighters from Springfield and Champaign covered fire stations in Decatur on Tuesday so Decatur firefighters could attend the service. The number of Decatur firefighters present, active duty and retired, numbered more than 100.

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Pleasantview Fire District news (more)

Funeral service for  Comstock Township MI Fire Chief Ed Switalski

Tim Olk photo

Funeral service for  Comstock Township MI Fire Chief Ed Switalski

Tim Olk photo

Funeral service for  Comstock Township MI Fire Chief Ed Switalski

Tim Olk photo

Excerpts from woodtv.com:

Hundreds of police officers and firefighters from across the Midwest joined community members in Kalamazoo Wednesday to honor Comstock Township Fire Chief Ed Switalski, who was hit by a vehicle and killed last week during a call.

The chief was laid to rest with full honors, including the presentation of a duty medal, a bell ceremony, taps, a flag folding, a 21-gun salute, and his final call.

Everyone who spoke of Switalski, whether family or friend, shared a common theme: a giving heart.

“He constantly cared about others. He was there every step of the way when my Auntie Holly had breast cancer. He was there and donated his kidney when his nephew Christopher needed one,” his niece said.

Switalski leaves behind a wife and two daughters, one of whom spoke during the funeral.

“I am also honored to be the last family member to have seen and spoken to him,” Emily Switalski said. “Before he went on every call, My mom, my sister and I would always say, ‘I love you. Be safe.’ And those words were the last words I was ever able to say to him.”

Before the final call for Switalski sounded, hundreds of firefighters from Michigan, Indiana and Illinois — where Switalski worked for some 30 years before becoming chief in Comstock Township in 2013 — took part in his funeral procession.

A restored 1937 fire truck carried his body 24 miles from the funeral home through downtown Kalamazoo and Comstock Township before arriving at Wings Event Center. Firefighters in nearly 200 fire engines followed. Members of the public lined the streets to say thank you. 

The procession continued out of Kalamazoo and past Comstock’s three fire stations. Outside the station on River Street, the chief’s bunker gear and helmet were laid out on the apron as Battle Creek firefighters, filling in so Comstock crews could attend the funeral, stood by.  None of the BCFD firefighters had ever met Switalksi, but they were working on their day off to honor him. 

“Myself and the other fire fighters from Battle Creek consider this a great honor to be able to cover this station for these fire fighters and for their chief,” BCFD Lt. Lamar Mingle said.

Gov. Rick Snyder ordered all U.S. and Michigan flags lowered to half-staff Wednesday in honor of Switalski.

thanks Dan

Funeral service for  Comstock Township MI Fire Chief Ed Switalski

Tim Olk photo

Funeral service for  Comstock Township MI Fire Chief Ed Switalski

Tim Olk photo

Funeral service for  Comstock Township MI Fire Chief Ed Switalski

Tim Olk photo

Funeral service for  Comstock Township MI Fire Chief Ed Switalski

Tim Olk photo

Funeral service for  Comstock Township MI Fire Chief Ed Switalski

Tim Olk photo

Comstock FD antique fire engine

Tim Olk photo

Funeral service for  Comstock Township MI Fire Chief Ed Switalski

Tim Olk photo

funreal procession of fire trucks

Tim Olk photo

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