Excerpts from ChicagoSun-Times.com:
When Tom Raychek was discovered dead in his Belvidere mobile home on November 24, it seemed he had no one left in the world.But as news of his passing spread on Facebook, a wave of emotion swept through the Chicago Fire Department community. Colleagues and friends from across the country began sharing stories about Tom—his bravery, kindness, and generosity. His name was recognized, and with it, a flood of support emerged, with thousands sharing posts and offering help with funeral arrangements.
Tom had served for many years, including helping in the grueling recovery efforts after a 1994 plane crash in Roselawn, Indiana, which took the lives of 68 people. He also volunteered at Misericordia and helped maintain a firefighters’ memorial at Rosehill Cemetery.
His former battalion chief, Bill Kugelman, shared that Tom spent part of his childhood in foster care, which inspired him to collect toys for children in need. Though initially thought to be alone, it turned out Tom had relatives in another state, who were eventually located by local authorities. Funeral arrangements are now being made, and two organizations—the Ignite the Spirit initiative and the Fire Chaplains’ Ministry Fund—are ready to assist with costs if needed.
“He was a great guy and an excellent firefighter,†said Chicago Fire Department chaplain Thomas Mulcrone. “He had a big heart.â€
After retiring around 15 years ago, Tom drifted away from the department, with some believing he had moved to Wisconsin. In recent years, he lived at Greenview Estates in Belvidere, where neighbors described him as friendly, always smiling, and very kind.
Kelli Gavril Goodmonson, a manager at the mobile home community, found him on November 24 after neighbors reported not seeing him. She and a maintenance worker discovered him deceased, with natural causes listed as the cause of death. He had used a wheelchair and cane, but was still able to move around his home.
Goodmonson had seen an old photo of Tom rescuing a baby during a fire on the North Side. When she learned her son was a Fire Explorer, Tom shared stories of his career, even mentioning that his superiors had been upset when the photo showed him rushing up a ladder without proper gear.
Unaware of his family, she posted a tribute on Facebook, sharing the image and expressing how much she admired him. The post quickly went viral, touching people across the country and reminding many of the deep bond within the fire service.
“The brotherhood is amazing,†she said. “It’s real and unconditional.â€
Though he had been labeled a foundling in some reports, Tom himself had clarified in a 1993 interview that he became a state ward at a young age due to his parents' inability to care for him. He worked at Engine 89, Truck 25, and Engine 69, and later served at O’Hare Airport’s mobile command van.
Tom was among the Chicago firefighters who traveled to Roselawn to assist in the aftermath of the American Eagle Flight 4184 crash. “He did it on his own time and at his own expense,†said Mulcrone. “They mapped the area and recovered bodies for days.â€
During the filming of *Backdraft* in 1991, Kugelman asked for help cleaning a firefighters’ memorial at Rosehill Cemetery. Tom joined the effort, and though the scene was filmed elsewhere, the work he and others did brought the monument back to life.
Tom was known for his generosity, often donating gifts to the Lakeview Learning Center for developmentally disabled children. “He was always doing something good,†Kugelman said. “He had a soft heart and a strong spirit.â€
Now, the fire department is preparing a full honor guard and bagpipers for his final farewell—a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much to others.
Thanks, Dan
Human Sculpture,Human Clay Sculpture,Human Body Statue,Human Body Sculpture
Wind Chimes | Resin Sculptures | Customization , https://www.revinnodesign.com