Posts Tagged Brian Murphy

Chicago Fire Department news (more)

From dignity memorial.com:

Brian E. Murphy
February 26, 1957 – August 11, 2017

Brian E. Murphy ditched this popsicle stand on August 11 in the early morning, without having to watch another episode of Mr. Ed on MeTV, which bored him to death. His soul is free of an Alzheimer’s-wrecked body and he’s currently assumed to be gallivanting about the universe with partners in crime who preceded him in death, including his brother William Jr. and beloved Cubs announcer Harry Caray.

He was born in 1957 to Dorothy Murphy (Smith) and the late William J. Murphy. Brian attended Morgan Park High School where he met a motley-looking crew with whom he became lifelong friends. He was a Chicago Firefighter for 29 years, having retired in 2009. Brian loved telling everyone he ran into about his former occupation, not just because it often got him free stuff (like parking spots), but because he was genuinely proud of being a Chicago firefighter. He loved his Engine 5 family like brothers. On his “off-days”, he variously sold fire department t-shirts, pulled parade floats, and helped neighbors with odd-jobs. As an assistant Boy Scoutmaster for Troop 617, he attended week-long summer camps, led service projects, and was facetiously dubbed “Father Murphy” because he would often bust out with the song, “Alleluijah.” Brian was a community organizer and long-suffering South-Side Cubs fan, who was blessed to finally be able to see his beloved team go all the way.

Brian is survived by his wife and best friend, Carol (nee Deppe), his children Kathleen and Kevin, and “adopted son” Josh. Father-in-law to William Toms; he loved his knucklehead grandchildren, Billy and Christopher, with all his heart. His siblings include William Jr. (deceased), Madonna, Jeffrey (Virginia), Joy, Joseph (Rosemary), Timothy (Eileen) and Terrence (Diane). Brother-in-Law to Christine (Bob), Jim (Vicki) and John. Favorite uncle to Amy, Bill, Amanda, Kristin, Michael, Meghan, Sean, Jacqueline, Tom, Colleen, Dan the Man, TJ, Bubba, Juliana, Elisa, Theresa, Cara, Mike, Nick, Kristin and Rachel. He was a friend to all who met him.

Please join us for a celebration of a life well-lived and a hefting of a defiant middle finger to Alzheimer’s.

Memorial visitation, Friday, August 25, 3pm-8pm at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 4727 W. 103rd St., Oak Lawn. Memorial Mass, Saturday, August 26, 11am at St. Christina’s Church, 3342 W. 111th St., Chicago. Luncheon will follow. Cubs attire is strongly encouraged. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to Alzheimer’s Association (Alz.org) or the Ende, Menzer, Walsh & Quinn Retirees’, Widows’ and Children’s Assistance Fund (WidowsAndChildren.org).

thanks Dan

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Chicago Fire Department news

Brian Murphy, Engineer C.F.D., retired, died Friday, August 11th. He was last assigned to CFD Engine 5. A memorial service will be held at a future date. More information will be posted when available.

thanks Bill

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Elmhurst Fire Department history

This from Brian Murphy:

“This picture shows what a 10 year-old can do with an Instamatic Camera at a parade on a cloudy day.  Ok, not that much, but the subject is Elmhurst’s 1974 Pierce-Hendrickson 1500 GPM Engine 1, with old Truck 1 (1955 Seagrave 85′ mid-mount) right behind.  Taken during the 1975 Elmhurst Memorial Day Parade in downtown Elmhurst on York Street. Dimples in picture courtesy of thumbtacks from bedroom bulletin board. Memorial Day is coming up soon- perhaps there’s some 10 year-olds out there ready to provide some future historic photos for this site.  Enjoy!”
 
Brian Murphy
Elmhurst FD Engine 1 1974 Pierce

Brian Murphy photo

 

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Historic fire in Waukegan, 3-18-75

This from Brian Murphy:

This story from the March 18, 1975 edition of the Waukegan News-Sun involves multiple fires occurring in an apartment complex which was located across the street from the old downtown central Waukegan Fire Station. The cause of the fire was a failure of a component in the building’s gas distribution service, which resulted in multiple fires breaking out simultaneously throughout the building.  Rescues were made by Waukegan’s Hi-Ranger Snorkel and their mid-50’s-vintage Seagrave tillered, 85′,  3-section aerial ladder truck. Photos were taken by News-Sun photographer Don Martin. I would imagine the guys who responded are all long-since retired!  Enjoy!
 
Brian Murphy
from the March 18, 1975 edition of the Waukegan News-Sun

from the March 18, 1975 edition of the Waukegan News-Sun

from the March 18, 1975 edition of the Waukegan News-Sun

from the March 18, 1975 edition of the Waukegan News-Sun

from the March 18, 1975 edition of the Waukegan News-Sun

from the March 18, 1975 edition of the Waukegan News-Sun

from the March 18, 1975 edition of the Waukegan News-Sun

from the March 18, 1975 edition of the Waukegan News-Sun

from the March 18, 1975 edition of the Waukegan News-Sun

from the March 18, 1975 edition of the Waukegan News-Sun

 from the March 18, 1975 edition of the Waukegan News-Sun

from the March 18, 1975 edition of the Waukegan News-Sun

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A request for assistance

This from Brian Murphy:

I came across this old Mack C series engine in a storage yard near I-55 just outside of Plainfield. I have no idea where it came from, but a guess is it may have been from one of the steel mills in NW Indiana or perhaps a chemical plant or refinery around Joliet.  What thinks all of you????

unidentified blue C Model Mack fire engine rusting in a field

Brian Murphy photo

unidentified blue C Model Mack fire engine rusting in a field

Brian Murphy photo

unidentified blue C Model Mack fire engine rusting in a field

Brian Murphy photo

 

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Giess-Pfleger Tanning Company Fire, Waukegan – November 15, 1973

This from Brian Murphy:

These newspaper clippings, from the Waukegan News-Sun, are of a large fire at the former Giess-Plfeger Tanning Company on Waukegan’s Lakefront.  The fire occurred on November 15, 1973, and involved a substantial portion of the building (mill/heavy timber construction) that was undergoing demolition after being sold to Commonwealth Edison (the Waukegan Generating Station is adjacent to the site).

Apologies for the quality of the clippings, but they are about what you’d expect after 42 years in a shoe box. Love to hear from anyone who remembers this fire.

Enjoy,
Brian Murphy

Giess-Pfleger Tanning Company Fire, Waukegan

Giess-Pfleger Tanning Company Fire, Waukegan – November 15, 1973. from the Waukegan News-Sun

Giess-Pfleger Tanning Company Fire, Waukegan

from the Waukegan News-Sun

Giess-Pfleger Tanning Company Fire, Waukegan

from the Waukegan News-Sun

Waukegan FD Ward LaFrance Hi-Ranger Snorkel

from the Waukegan News-Sun

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Historic video of Topps Department store fire in Highland, IN – 1963

This from Brian Murphy:

While doing research on fire losses in ‘big box’ retail stores (OK, we were a bit slow on calls…), I came across, on YouTube, very old footage of a large fire in a Topps Discount Store in Highland, Indiana.  Dating back to 1963, it was shot on 8mm film and must’ve been converted to video at some point within the past 25 years.  You even get to see a nice happy family having fun before the fire footage begins.  Ah, home movies.  How many of you remember Topps (not the sports cards)?  There was one on North Avenue in Addison (near the original ‘Dog House’ that became Portilos) up until the early to mid ’70s that I can recall visting.  Anyway, this one is for everyone who grew up without cell phones.  Or DVDs.  Or video cameras.  Or push button phones.

Or, for that matter, SCBA…

Enjoy!

Brian Murphy

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A historical look at EMA/ESDA vehicle

This from Brian Murphy:

The following pictures were taken in the early and mid-1990s, and show various EMA and ESDA support vehicles. Most were either ‘home built’ by volunteers using part or whole former fire apparatus, or were donated former fire apparatus.  Many of these rigs had long second lives supporting FD and PD operations (and some are most likely still in service).  All pictures were taken with various small 35mm cameras (no digital, just old-fashioned photographs).

Comments and details on missing info are welcomed- enjoy!

Brian Murphy

  • P1- Bellwood ESDA 1960s (?) Mack light/power squad (exact details NA, most likely x-Bellwood FD)
  • P2-  Naperville EMA Truck 357 (x-NFD late 70’s Chevy ambo chassis built into lighting/power unit) and Truck 352 (x-NFD/Civil Defense late 60’s GMC Step Van rescue unit)
  • P3- Naperville EMA Truck 351 (late 80’s or early 90’s Dodge Ram Van, x-Naperville Public Works truck)
  • P4- Naperville EMA Truck 357, Lighting and Power Unit
  • P5- Wood Dale ESDA Squad 3 (x-WFD Rescue Squad, details NA)
  • P6- Buffalo Grove ESDA IC&C Unit (probably x-BGFD Ambo, details NA)
  • P7- DuPage County EMA IC&C Unit (details NA)
  • P8- DuPage County EMA Power and Lighting Unit (details NA)
  • P9- DuPage County EMA Power and Lighting Unit, side/rear view
  • P10- Rolling Meadows ESDA Rescue Squad (details NA, probably x-RMFD Rescue Squad)
  • P11- McHenry County ESDA ESDA-52, IC&C Unit (details NA)
  • P12- Kane County OEM Light/Power Unit (details NA)
ild Mack C fire engine

Bellwood ESDA 1960s (?) Mack light/power squad (exact details NA, most likely x-Bellwood FD). Brian Murphy photo

Naperville EMA truck

Naperville EMA Truck 357 (x-NFD late 70’s Chevy ambo chassis built into lighting/power unit) and Truck 352 (x-NFD/Civil Defense late 60’s GMC Step Van rescue unit) Brian Murphy photo

Naperville EMA truck

Naperville EMA Truck 351 (late 80’s or early 90’s Dodge Ram Van, x-Naperville Public Works truck). Brian Murphy photo

Naperville EMA truck

Naperville EMA Truck 357, Lighting and Power Unit. Brian Murphy photo

Wood Dale ESDA squad

Wood Dale ESDA Squad 3 (x-WFD Rescue Squad, details NA). Brian Murphy photo

Buffalo Grove ESDA unit

Buffalo Grove ESDA IC&C Unit (probably x-BGFD Ambo, details NA). Brian Murphy photo

DuPage County EMA truck

DuPage County EMA IC&C Unit (details NA). Brian Murphy photo

DuPage County EMA truck

DuPage County EMA Power and Lighting Unit (details NA). Brian Murphy photo

DuPage County EMA truck

DuPage County EMA Power and Lighting Unit, side/rear view. Brian Murphy photo

Rolling Meadows ESDA unit

Rolling Meadows ESDA Rescue Squad (details NA, probably x-RMFD Rescue Squad). Brian Murphy photo

McHenry County ESDA unit

McHenry County ESDA ESDA-52, IC&C Unit (details NA). Brian Murphy photo

Kane County OEM unit

Kane County OEM Light/Power Unit (details NA). Brian Murphy photo

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Vintage fire scene from Villa Park

This from Brian Murphy:

These photos are of a single-family house fire on the west side of Villa Park, taken during a very cold and snowy winter afternoon in the early- to mid-1990’s. At the time the pictures were taken, units from Villa Park (including call-backs), Elmhurst, Lombard, and Addison were either on-scene or en route. Unsure if it was a General Alarm or a First-Level MABAS Box.
All photos were taken using a 35mm pocket camera- no digital or smartphones back then!  Hope you enjoy the brief trip down memory lane!
I will send more as time permits!
Best Regards,
Brian Murphy
winter fire scene circa 1990

Line off of the rear of first-due engine from Villa Park Northside fire station. Brian Murphy photo

winter fire scene circa 1990

Fire venting through the roof; in foreground is Villa Park Engine 4 (reserve rig). Brian Murphy photo

winter fire scene circa 1990

Note smoke hanging low to ground- very cold day! Also note 2 1/2″ supply line from hydrant down the block at corner. Brian Murphy photo

winter fire scene circa 1990

Lots of cold smoke. Villa Park Engine 5 in background- late 60’s or early 70’s Pirsch. Brian Murphy photo

vintage custom Pirsch fire engine

Villa Park Engine 4- late 60’s or early 70’s Pirsch, similar to Engine 5. Brian Murphy photo

vintage custom Pirsch fire engine

Engine 4- officer’s side. Brian Murphy photo

Mack CF Pirsch aerial ladder

Elmhurst Truck 1- 1977 Mack/Pirsch 100′ aerial ladder. Refurbished late 80’s or early 90’s by RPI . Brian Murphy photo

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