It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of Captain Dan Kilian of the West Dundee Fire Department. Captain Kilian was a charter member of the West Dundee Professional Firefighters Union, Local 4882, and was a past President as well. Captain Kilian passed away on March 10th, from cancer. Captain Kilian was 46 years old, and is survived by his wife, Kristin and his six-year-old son, Noah.

Although this is NOT an activation, West Dundee’s Local and Captain Kilian’s family would like to have Honor Guard members participate at his services. His services are as follows:

Visitation: Friday, March 15, 2024, from 1600hrs to 1900hrs at First Congregational Church of Dundee- 900 S. 8th, St., West Dundee, IL 60118. There will be a uniformed personnel walk-through at 1900hrs. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 1830hrs.

Visitation & Funeral Visitation: Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 1030hrs at First Congregational Church of Dundee- 900 S. 8th St., West Dundee, IL 60118.

Funeral Procession: Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 1130hrs from First Congregational Church of Dundee- 900 S. 8thSt., West Dundee, IL 60118.

 

Please do what you can to attend and honor Captain Kilian, his family, and Local 4882.

 

Fraternally,

Jay Coburn, Commander

AFFI Honor Guard

 

Brothers and Sisters,

 

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the Duty Related Death of Firefighter/Paramedic Thomas “Tommy” Sinclair of Oak Brook, Local 4646. Brother Sinclair passed away Friday, February 9th, 2024, after a battle with leukemia. Brother Sinclair was 37 years old. He is survived by his wife, Natalie, and sons Oliver and Mateo Garcia.

By orders of AFFI President Chuck Sullivan, the AFFI Honor Guard is activated.
Brother Sinclair’s services are as follows:

Wake: Thursday, February 15th, 2024, from 1500hrs – 2100hrs, at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home and Crematorium- 7861 88th Ave., Justice, IL 60458.

Uniformed Personnel Walk-Through: Thursday, February 15th, 2024, at 1900hrs, at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home and Crematorium- 7861 88th Ave., Justice, IL 60458. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 1830hrs.

Please plan on attending. I know, as always, you will all do Whatever It Takes to Honor, Cherish, Remember, and Salute Brother Sinclair, his family, and his Local.

 

Fraternally,

 

Jay Coburn, Commander

AFFI Honor Guard

(708) 927-6568

[email protected]

affi1935.org/honorguard

Brothers and Sisters,

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the Duty Related Death of Firefighter/Paramedic Brad “BB” Belanger of Sycamore, Local 3046. Brother Belanger passed away Friday, December 22nd after a battle with cancer. Brother Belanger was 45 years old. He is survived by his wife, Jamie, and sons Dakota (24), and Hunter (16).

By orders of AFFI President Chuck Sullivan, the AFFI Honor Guard is activated.

 

Brother Belanger’s services are as follows:

 

Visitation: Saturday, January 6th, 2024, from 1100hrs – 1500hrs, at Sycamore Community Center- 480 Airport Rd., Sycamore, IL 60178.

 

Uniformed Personnel Walk-through: Saturday, January 6th, 2024, at 1600hrs, at Sycamore Community Center- 480 Airport Rd., Sycamore, IL 60178. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 1530hrs and stage at the ball fields across the street.

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 Belanger, his family, and his Local.

Fraternally,

Jay Coburn, Commander

AFFI Honor Guard

(708) 927-6568

[email protected]

affi1935.org/honorguard

 

 

A message from AFFI Honor Guard Commander Jay Coburn:

 

Brothers and Sisters,

With great sadness, I want to inform you all of the passing of Brother Steven Diehl, South Elgin Professional Firefighters, Local 4833 (Retired). Brother Diehl was an active member of the AFFI Honor Guard.

Shortly after retirement, Brother Diehl was diagnosed with ALS. He succumbed to his disease early this morning. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Ar Deis Dé go raibh a ainm Dilís.

Fraternally,

Jay Coburn, Commander
AFFI Honor Guard
(708) 927-6568
[email protected]
affi1935.org/honorguard

 

For those attending the services for Local 2 Brother Andrew Price on Monday, parking for services at Navy Pier will be at the north end of the South Lot at Soldier Field. Local 2 will provide shuttle busses from the lot to Navy Pier and back to the lot between 8:00am – 3:00pm.

 

Brothers and Sisters,

 

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the Line of Duty Death of Firefighter/EMT Andrew “Drew” Price of Chicago, Local 2.  Brother Price passed away on Monday, November 13th, from injuries sustained while battling a structure fire. Brother Price was 39 years old. He is survived by his wife.

 

By orders of AFFI President Chuck Sullivan, the AFFI Honor Guard is activated.

 

Brother Price’s services are as follows:

Venue: Monday, November 20th, 2023, Navy Pier Aon Grand Ballroom- 600 East Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.

Arrival of Procession: 0845hrs. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 0815hrs.

Private Visitation: 0900hrs-1000hrs

Visitation: 1000hrs-1130hrs

Walk-thru: 1130hrs. Honor Guard members should be in place no later than 1100hrs.

Moments of Remembrance: 1200hrs

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 Price, 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 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]

 

Brothers and Sisters,

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of Firefighter/Paramedic Phillip “PhilPal” Palczynski of Arlington Heights, Local 3105. Brother Palczynski passed away Sunday, June 4th. Brother Palczynski was 53 years old and is survived by his wife, Susan, and two children, Kevin, and Kate.

Although this is not an activation, Brother Palczynski’s family and Local have asked for Honor Guard participation.

Brother Palczynski’s services are as follows:

Wake: Monday, June 12th, 2023, from 1500hrs to 2000hrs, at Adams-Winterfield and Sullivan Funeral Home- 4343 Main St., Downers Grove, IL 60515. There will be a firefighter walk-through at 1900hrs. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 1830hrs.

Procession: Tuesday, June 13th, 2023, at 0930hrs, at Adams-Winterfield and Sullivan Funeral Home- 4343 Main St., Downers Grove, IL 60515. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 0900hrs.

Mass: Tuesday, June 13th, 2023, at 1000hrs, at St. Joe’s Church- 4801 Main St., Downers Grove, IL 60515.

The affected Local is in District 5. Jeff Boetto and Leon Lake will be helping Arlington Heights coordinate the services. Please direct any questions you may have to them.

Please do what you can to attend. I know, as always, you will all do Whatever It Takes to Honor, Cherish, Remember, and Salute Brother Palczynski, 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 Line of Duty Death of Firefighter/EMT Jermaine A. Pelt  of Chicago, Local 2.  Brother Pelt passed away Tuesday, April 4th while battling a house fire. Brother Pelt was 49 years old and is survived by two children.

By orders of AFFI President Chuck Sullivan, the AFFI Honor Guard is activated. 

Brother Pelt’s services are as follows:

Visitation: Thursday, April 13th, 2023, from 1500hrs to 2200hrs, at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home 4727 W 103rd St Oak Lawn IL  60453. There will be a firefighter walk-through at 1900hrs. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 1830hrs.

Service: Friday, April 14th, 2023, at 1100hrs, at House of Hope 752 E 114th St. Chicago, IL 60628.

Interment: Friday, April 14th, 2023, following the service, at Lincoln Cemetery 12300 S. Kedzie Ave. Blue Island, IL  60406.

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 Pelt, his family, and his Local.

I know you all understand this means we’ll be carrying out our commitment Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday this week.  I know this is tough, but it’s what we all took an oath to do.  Please look out for each other.  I’ll see you all in a few days.

Fraternally,

Jay Coburn, Commander
AFFI Honor Guard
(708) 927-6568
[email protected]