Hundreds of firefighters from Chicago, the suburbs and other locations attend the wake of Herbert Johnson, a Chicago firefighter who was killed while battling a South Side house fire. (Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune)
Walking under a huge American flag hoisted by two ladder trucks, hundreds of firefighters in dress uniforms gathered this morning for the funeral of a colleague, Herbert "Herbie" Johnson, a 32-year veteran killed while battling an extra-alarm fire in a Gage Park home.
Crestwood Fire Chief Jon Bruce, 48, stood near a line of fire engines that stretched for nearly a block along Western Avenue near St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel.
"We're a brotherhood," Bruce said as he shook hands with passing firefighters.
"He will be missed by many but forgotten by none," said Lt. Rick Colby, 55, of the 19th battalion, who was assigned to the same fire engine as Johnson the day he died. "It's a somber day for all of us."
Looking around at the thousands of firefighters and police, Tom Munizzi said he was not surprised by the show of support.
"Everyone knew Herbie," said Munizzi, 54, also in the 19th battalion. "It shows you how much he was loved."
The somber crowd grew silent as a pipe and drum corps started playing. They stood at attention, waiting for the funeral procession to begin. Purple ribbons were tied to the trees and light poles along the street in front of the church.
A day earlier, firefighters crowded into the same Southwest Side church for the wake, some standing outside for nearly an hour.
"Anybody who does our job, we have a mutual respect and connection with," Barrington firefighter Kyle Racina, who never met Johnson, said as he stood outside the visitation. "He made the ultimate sacrifice for the job."
The visitation continued through the afternoon and into the evening as a steady stream of mourners waited in a line that sometimes stretched into the parking lot of the Catholic church at 7740 S. Western Ave. Cars, including police vehicles and firetrucks from all over the Chicago region, packed the neighboring streets, which were backed up with traffic for hours.
Johnson's brother, Ted, who also is a Chicago firefighter, said the tragedy still seems surreal. His family is struggling to deal with the loss but grateful for the outpouring of support from across the country, he said.
"Tomorrow, I'm going to have to carry my brother's body to his grave," Johnson said. "But I'm going to have over 4,000 brothers and sisters right there with me."
Inside the chapel Wednesday, a line weaved in and out of the aisles as people chatted, cried and reminisced about Johnson and his large, tightknit family.
Pat Popek laughed as she recalled the time Johnson sported his grammar school basketball jersey at their 25th eighth-grade reunion.
"Believe me, it didn't fit him very well," she said with a smile. "But that was his personality."
A display of photos of Johnson — posing with his touch football team, spending time with his brothers and sisters, and marrying wife Susan — stood beside flowers arranged as firetrucks, footballs and a shamrock.
Johnson's widow greeted well-wishers as she stood next to the dark wooden casket containing the body of her husband, decked out in his dress uniform with a golden cross beside him. A medal for his heroism in the Fire Department also lay in the casket, which was adorned with pink roses.
"He would want us to celebrate his life, not his death," remarked Johnson's 18-year-old nephew, Thaddeus.
The eldest of eight, Johnson was always the leader in his family growing up, making sure his siblings did their homework and chores and stayed out of harm's way, said family friend John Jurcev, 78.
He enjoyed entertaining those around him and could find the good in a sad situation. Often, he spread his happiness with giant bearhugs, sometimes not realizing his own strength, Jurcev joked.
"He would be crushin' me, but I loved it," he said.
Relatives said they have received cards from schoolchildren from across Chicago. Some were on display inside the chapel.
Many of the notes offered prayers and support. That has meant a lot to Johnson's widow and three children, said Dan McMahon, Johnson's brother-in-law.
"They've helped their spirits get through this tragedy," he said.
Ted Johnson called his brother a great example for the city. It's a risk when firefighters leave for work every day, never knowing if they'll see their families again, he said.
"Tomorrow we'll bring him home," his brother said. "It's a great send-off for a true hero."
jmdelgado@tribune.com
Funeral for firefighter: 'We're a brotherhood'
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