The Chicago Tribune recently shared a touching human interest story about a Chicago firefighter who made the ultimate sacrifice in 1952. John Francis Minich, a brave member of the Chicago Fire Department, died heroically after rescuing several people from a burning apartment building. Tragically, his body had remained in an unmarked grave at All Saints Catholic Cemetery & Mausoleum in Des Plaines for nearly 60 years—until this Saturday, when a headstone will finally be placed in his honor.
The ceremony will be attended by officials from the Chicago Fire Department and the firefighters’ union, as well as a woman whose life was forever changed by Minich’s actions. That woman is Patricia McCann, who was born just twelve days after the fire that claimed the firefighter’s life.
On October 25, 1952, McCann’s mother was eight months pregnant and trapped on the third floor of their apartment building during a deadly fire. Despite firefighters urging her to jump, she refused, fearing harm to her unborn child. It was then that John Minich entered the burning building again, risking his life to save her. According to McCann and a Tribune article from the time, he covered her mouth and nose with a wet cloth and guided her through the smoke, keeping her calm along the way.
During their escape, Minich even asked her what name she planned to give the baby, promising to visit once the child was born. But just moments after getting her to safety, Minich collapsed and later died from his injuries.
At the time, the newspaper reported that Minich was survived by his wife, Marie, and two brothers. A 29-year-old man was later arrested for starting the fire, reportedly due to a personal dispute with his girlfriend, who lived in the building.
McCann, now in her 70s, always felt a deep connection to the firefighter who saved her mother. Last year, she began searching for Minich’s grave, reaching out to a friend who worked at All Saints Cemetery. The friend, John Stewart, discovered that both Minich and his wife were buried in unmarked graves.
McCann visited the site in January, and the sight of the plain plot left her in tears. “It really troubled me,†she said. “He was a hero. He saved my life. I’m here because of him, and he doesn’t have a marker.â€
Inspired by the emotional visit, McCann decided to buy a headstone for Minich. However, Stewart encouraged her to wait and helped connect her with a Fire Department captain, who then reached out to the firefighters’ union. Soon after, Mount Emblem Cemetery in Elmhurst agreed to donate a black granite headstone for Minich. McCann also plans to secure a headstone for his wife, Marie.
This heartfelt tribute brings closure to a long-forgotten hero’s story and honors the selfless act that changed a family’s future. The full article can be found HERE.
Thanks, Chris.
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