Three firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty were honored during a ceremony held annually at Fireman’s Park in Evanston on the anniversary of one firefighter’s death.
The ceremony, hosted by the Evanston Fire Department, in conjunction with the Evanston Police Department and Evanston Firefighters Association Local 742, was meant to honor the lives of fallen Evanston Firefighters Marty Leoni, William Craig, and George Stiles who died in the line of duty.
“This memorial event has become an annual tradition for us, that on this day, July 22, each year, we honor our fallen firefighters, and police officers, those who died while on duty, serving our Evanston community,” Evanston Fire Department Chief Paul J. Polep said.
The memorial service for Evanston fallen first responders included the posting of the colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, an invocation and bell ceremony.
Civic and community participation included remarks from Daniel Biss, Mayor of Evanston; Laura Fine, Senator in the Illinois General Assembly; Robyn Gabel, Illinois State Representative for the18th District; Stephanie Mendoza, City of Evanston Clerk and representatives from Evanston Police and Fire Departments.
Family members of the fallen responders also attended the ceremony.
Sue Leoni, sister-in-law to Marty Leoni, recalls their family life in Evanston and the year Marty died.
“We still remember our Marty, he was 37-years-old when he died, he was one of six children and always doing good for others,” Leoni said.
According to the Illinois Fire Service Institute’s incident summary, on July 22, 1985, firefighter Mariano “Marty” Leoni, Jr., of the Evanston Fire Department died in the line of duty while searching for a month-old baby during a residential fire.
Patti Piron of Glenview, is the great-granddaughter of George Stiles, and also attending the ceremony Friday.
George Stiles and William Craig were both Evanston firefighters who died in the Clayton Mark Foundry fire on Dec. 13, 1905.
“We never want to forget what they’ve sacrificed and how they put their lives on the line to keep us safe,” Piron said.
The ceremony recognized the fallen firefighters and police officers who died on duty — George Daugherty, James Shea and William Omslear — while also honoring those first responders across the country who have lost their lives.
Fireman’s Park was completed in 1993 to honor Leoni, Stiles and Craig and provides a fitting venue for the ceremony each year.
Division Chief of the Evanston Fire Department Kimberly Kull, says this day gives us an opportunity to bear witness and publicly acknowledge the lives and sacrifices of the brave men and women who came before us.
“Firefighters in Evanston and everywhere, struggle with the effects that come with being a first responder — sickness, suicide, and mental health,” Kull said. “Those we honor here today, their fidelity to the community and to their fellow firefighters led them to give what Lincoln called ‘the last full measure of devotion,’ and they remind us that hazards of this noble vocation continue even after the shift is over.”
Gina Grillo is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
