A message from AFFI President Sullivan:
“As many of you know, our long time office manager, Sue Smith, will be retiring in November. Nicole Fromme has been hired to replace her. Her first day was today, so she will have a good 2 months of orientation and training. Nicole is from Franklin, IL. She is married to her husband Sam and they have three children, Kinley (13), Kellan (8) and Cooper (6). Please give a big welcome to Nicole! We are happy to have her at the AFFI.”
Brothers and Sisters,
It is with great sadness that I inform you of the Line of Duty Death of Lieutenant/EMT Kevin P. Ward of Chicago, Local 2. Brother Ward passed away on Monday, August 28th, from injuries sustained while battling a house fire on August 11th. Brother Ward was 58 years old.
By orders of AFFI President Chuck Sullivan, the AFFI Honor Guard is activated.
Brother Ward’s services are as follows:
Visitation: Wednesday, September 13th, 2023, from 0900-1100hrs, at Fourth Presbyterian Church- 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago, IL 60611. There will be a firefighter walk-through at 1030hrs. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 1000hrs.
Service: Wednesday, September 13th, 2023, at 1100hrs, at Fourth Presbyterian Church- 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago, IL 60611
Interment: Private.
Please plan on attending, and please bring Local flags and tools for the services. I know, as always, you will all do Whatever It Takes to Honor, Cherish, Remember, and Salute Brother Ward, his family, and his Local.
Fraternally,
Jay Coburn, Commander
AFFI Honor Guard
(708) 927-6568
[email protected]
Brothers and Sisters,
It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of Firefighter/Paramedic Jacek Brylewski of Rolling Meadows Firefighters and Paramedics, Local 3075. Brother Brylewski passed away unexpectedly Thursday, August 24th. He is survived by his wife, Tana, and five children.
Although this is NOT an activation, Brother Brylewski’s family and Local have asked for Honor Guard attendance at his services.
Details for Brother Brylewski’s services are as follows:
Memorial Service: Wednesday, September 6th, from 1600hrs-2000hrs, at Meadows Funeral Home- 3615 Kirchoff Rd., Rolling Meadows, IL 60008. There will be a Fire Department/First Responder walk through at 1900hrs. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 1830hrs.
Please do what you can to attend and honor Brother Brylewski, his family, and his Local.
Fraternally,
Jay Coburn, Commander
AFFI Honor Guard
(708) 927-6568
[email protected]
It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of retired President Tom Blecha of Oak Park Firefighters, Local 95. Brother Blecha passed away suddenly on August 6th.
Although this is NOT an activation, Brother Blecha’s family and Local have asked for Honor Guard participation at his walk-through.
Details for Brother Blecha’s walk-through are as follows:
Fire Department Walk-Through: Saturday, August 19th, at 1100hrs, at Heritage Funeral Home- 3117 S. Oak Park Ave., Berwyn, IL 60402. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 1045hrs.
Please do what you can to attend and honor Brother Blecha, his family, and his Local.
Fraternally,
Jay Coburn, Commander
AFFI Honor Guard
(708) 927-6568
[email protected]
The AFFI and our Labor History Committee were honored to have our history displayed at the ABRAHAM LINCOLN Museum and Library in Springfield. The display includes pieces from AFFI Locals through the state of Illinois.
The exhibit will be on display from late July through mid October 2023. Check it out!
Thank you for participating in this year’s AFFI Sox/Cubs Game to benefit MDA. The event was very successful and raised $21,000 for the MDA.
Berwyn Local #506 members did a great job of hosting the tailgate party.
We’d like to extend a special thanks to our sponsors for partnering with the AFFI to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Grand Slam Sponsor
Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois
AFFI Honor Guard
Chicago Firefighters Local #2
Crystal Lake Firefighters Local #3926
Stephen P Kelly Attorney
Illinois AFL-CIO
Home Run Sponsor
Asher, Gittler & D’Alba Ltd
Illinois Firefighters Peer Support
Boone’s Saloon
DeKalb Local #1236
Palatine Local #4588
Wauconda Local 34876
Waukegan Local #473
Triple Play Sponsor
AFFI President Chuck Sullivan
AFFI Secretary-Treasurer Kurt Snow
AFFI VP Luke Howieson
AFFI CD Legislative Director Jeff Maher
Illinois Association of Retired and Disabled Firefighters
Bloomington Local #49
Thanks again for helping to make the fundraiser so successful. Plans are already underway for next year’s event.
Chuck Sullivan, President
Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois
The AFFI Labor History Committee will present “Your Union. Your History” at Streamwood Fire Station 31 on July 29th.
Streamwood Firefighters Local 3022 and Barrett Firefighters Local 3982 will host the event. Refreshments and snacks will be provided. No registration is required.
Station 31
1204 S. Park Ave.
Streamwood, IL 60107
0900am- approx 1200
Contact Labor History Committee Chair Matt Hill with any questions.
(815) 671-3852
MAKE HISTORY HAPPEN!
