My Running Mate
A lot of times we fail to realize how important our loved ones are to us. During my thirty years with the Detroit Fire Department I took a lot of things for granted. While I was out there battling fires and sometimes putting myself at risk, my running mate in life, my beautiful wife, was manning the home front. It was not easy raising five children. We lived in the rough tough Delray area of Detroit. She not only had to put up with the stress of protecting our children, she had to put up with the stress of having a husband who was a Firefighter.
During my career I was hauled to the hospital five times. Twice for stitches, twice for chemical exposure, and once for chest pains caused by exhaustion. My wife was at my side every time. She would hold my hand and help me through every ordeal I ever faced. When I got involved with the Firefighter’s Union, Local 344, she was there to help me. I eventually became president of the Detroit Firefighters Association and again my wife Jo stepped up to help. When we would travel out of town to attend conventions and seminars she would take charge of my directors’ young wives and would mentor and entertain them. She was a wonderful running mate who never complained and was always there to help.
On February 8, 2009 my wife Jo passed away after a long fight with lung cancer. She died at home surrounded by her beloved children and husband. I lost my running mate in life. There was no glorious department funeral with long lines of uniformed Firefighters paying tribute. There was no procession with fire engines slowly moving by with flashers rotating and diesel motors giving off their low rumbling sounds. There was no pass by of an engine house with an empty pair of boots standing next to a line of saluting Firefighters. There was only a pair of flip flop slippers sitting in our bedroom closet.
Jo was as much a hero as any of the bravest Firefighters I worked with. She was a part of me I cannot replace. When the kids went home I started to sort her things out. A lot of clothes went to charitable organizations. The jewelry will go the kids. One of the last things I found was the red skull cap she wore to keep her head warm during her last days. Cancer is meaner than any fire I ever faced. It not only kills you but it destroys your dignity as well. Jo lost all her hair. The skull cap was important to her. I picked up this last piece of my running mates gear and spotted a small gold pin which I had never really noticed before. What I saw made the tears flow like flushing a fire hydrant. It was a little gold Firefighter with angel wings. He was holding an axe and I know Jo wanted the Firefighters to be close when she passed. She was every bit a part of the Detroit Fire Department as I was. She was the best running mate I ever had. Jo was cremated and we will bury her in a little cemetery out in the rolling farm lands of northern Michigan. I am going to request that a fire rig be present. The little gold angel Firefighter will go with her. Like Firefighters, Jo made the world a better place.
The little gold angel Firefighter
"Fire Talk" Archives
- Benny the Hook
- Got To Love Texas
- The Fog of Retirement
- Two Tough Kids
- On Leaving the Department
- Cop Talk 3, Ceremony
- Putting it on the Line
- A Bond of Love
- God Will Protect Us
- Stealing Fires
- Poo Poo Pants
- Decoy Carver
- Firefighter's Road Trip
- Day Twenty-seven. Road Trip
- Down Mexico Way
- Zoo in the 7th
- A Gentle Landing
- Always a Firefighter
- Christmas at the Firehouse
- Harem Sacrum
- The Crow Who Spoke Polish
- Once a Firefighter always a Firefighter
- A Brotherhood
- Retiring a Hall of Fame Firefighter
- Anatomy of Forcible Entry
- 911
- Old Horses
- The Milk Wagon
- The Howling
- Tales of the Seventh Battalion 26, Destructo
- Memories of the 7th Battalion
- Running Mates
- Engine 32
- Last Alarm
- Tiger Stadium Fire
- To Moosenee and Back
- Memorial Day 2009
- Anatomy of a Fire at a Dangerous Building
- Tales of the Seventh Battalion 25, A Typical 7th Battalion Fire
- Boris the Talking Dog
- Wear and Tear
- Tales of the Seventh Battalion 24, Legends
- Axemen
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 23, Ankie
- Anatomy of a Dwelling Fire
- A Firefighter's Spring
- Input
- My Running Mate
- The Singing Fireman
- The Right Stuff
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 22, A Desperate Rescue
- 300 Spartans
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 21, Men Who Fight Bears
- At the End of His Rope
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 20, Wolf Warriors
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 19, Motorcycle Maniac
- Career Ending Injuries
- Detroit Loses One of Its Finest
- On Duty Injuries
- Unpractical Jokes
- Dedication in the Fire Service
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 18, Spare Parts
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 17, Passage to Hell
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 16, Gallant Warrior
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 15, Big Ones
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 14, Chicago Lil
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 13, Bridge Fires
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 12, Hot Stuff
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 11, Taco Wars
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 10, Day in Hell
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 9, Engine House Cat
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 8, Finding a Pen
- The Polish Squad
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 7, Wayne Soap
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 6, Junk Yard Goat
- The 1967 Riot in Detroit 3
- Department Legends
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 5, The Fonz
- The 1967 Riot (an entry from Tom Hart)
- The 1967 Detroit Riot
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 4, Howard
- The Buhl Building Fire
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 3, Engine 27
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 2, Roof Rescue
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 1, Explosion
- The worst 7th Battalion Fire
- Fire Incidents
- Beeler's Fog Monster
- Thoughts of a Retired Firefighter
- Dogs of the Realm
- Going to the Dogs
- Firefighter/Lawyer ?
- Moe Tales
- The Legend of Moe
- A POEM: When Brave Men Cry