Excerpts from ChicagoSun-Times.com:
When Tom Raychek was found dead on November 24 in his mobile home in Belvidere, it seemed he had no one left in the world.But as news of the 64-year-old retired firefighter’s passing spread on Facebook, a wave of support from fellow firefighters and community members began to emerge. Many recognized his name and shared heartfelt stories about his bravery, kindness, and generosity. Thousands across the country posted about him, highlighting the deep impact he had made during his career.
Tom had been part of the recovery efforts after a 1994 plane crash in Roselawn, Indiana, which claimed 68 lives. He also volunteered at Misericordia and helped maintain the firefighters’ memorial at Rosehill Cemetery. His dedication extended beyond the firehouse—his childhood in foster care inspired him to collect toys for children in need.
According to his former battalion chief, Bill Kugelman, Tom had shared with him that he spent part of his early years in a foster facility. This experience shaped his character and led to his lifelong habit of giving back. It turned out that Tom did have family living out of state, who were eventually located by local authorities. Funeral arrangements are now being made, and several organizations, including Ignite the Spirit and the Fire Chaplains’ Ministry Fund, are offering financial assistance if needed.
"He was a great guy and an excellent firefighter," said Chicago Fire Department chaplain Thomas Mulcrone. After retiring around 15 years ago, Tom had drifted away from many colleagues, and some believed he had moved to Wisconsin. But in recent years, he had been living at Greenview Estates in Belvidere, where neighbors described him as kind, always smiling, and very approachable.
On the day he passed, a neighbor noticed he hadn’t been seen for a while. A manager from the community checked on him and found him deceased in his home, with natural causes listed as the cause of death. Tom had used a wheelchair and a cane, and they had been left outside for about a week.
One of the managers, Kelli Gavril Goodmonson, had known Tom was a firefighter. She had seen a photo of him rescuing a baby during a fire on the North Side. When she learned her son was a Fire Explorer, Tom shared stories about his own career and even mentioned that his superiors had been upset about the photo showing him climbing without proper gear.
Not knowing he had family, she posted a tribute on Facebook with the rescue photo, saying, "I just wanted to say something nice about him. He was a wonderful person." The post quickly went viral, spreading among friends, friends of friends, and firefighters alike. People who had once worked with Tom remembered his kindness and the way he always put others first.
"The brotherhood is amazing—it's so solid and unconditional," she said. In her post, she repeated what she had heard from a county official—that Tom had been a foundling. However, in a 1993 interview, he had explained that he became a state ward around first grade because his parents couldn't care for him.
Throughout his career, Tom served at Engine 89, Truck 25, and Engine 69, and later worked in a mobile command van at O'Hare Airport. He was among the 20 Chicago firefighters who volunteered to help with the recovery efforts in Roselawn after the American Eagle Flight 4184 crash. They worked on their own time and at their own expense, doing body recovery and mapping the site for days.
During the filming of *Backdraft* in 1991, his former chief, Bill Kugelman, had asked for help to restore a firefighters' memorial at Rosehill Cemetery. Tom was one of those who showed up, cleaning the monument and trimming the bushes. Though the movie ended up being filmed elsewhere, the effort didn’t go unnoticed.
Tom also donated gifts to the Lakeview Learning Center for the developmentally disabled and was known for his generous spirit. "He was always doing things like that," Kugelman said. "He had a soft heart and a big soul."
Now, the Chicago Fire Department is preparing a full honors ceremony for Tom, including an honor guard and bagpipers. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched—both on and off the job.
Thanks, Dan
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